24 Jan 2018

From way back Batswana have always been known as a society that keeps livestock for several reasons such as a means of survival, a source of pride as well as being something that defines the dignity of an individual.

Even today, some Batswana are still holding unto that practice, and there are several opportunities availed.

Botswana, a country well known for its firm belief in agriculture, continues to see more Batswana taking it upon themselves to continue the legacy.

Agriculture plays a critical role in employment creation. A heat wave that hit the country and diseases impacted on various sectors of agriculture.

In an interview with BOPA, a small stock farmer, a middle aged woman, Ms Seolebaleng Dinotshe of Selokolela in the Southern District stated that she spent most of her years idling at home without a job despite her efforts to find one.

Ms Dinotshe said upon hearing about the Poverty Eradication Programme, she visited the social welfare offices in her area and registered with them. As such, when she was told that she qualified for the programme, it was a turning point in her life.

With passion and interest for rearing goats she was ready to take on the project. Ms Dinotshe said she was given 13 goats including one male goat in 2016. Medicine and feeds were also supplied.

He said the main problem she encountered was shortage of water. The 47 year-old Ms Dinotshe stated that her goat rearing business is going slowly. She noted that some were stolen but the programme is good.

She said she wants to play a significant role in the economic diversification of the country, and her project has been able to play a part.

She said a good number of women who have embraced government’s poverty eradication initiatives in the Southern District is a step in the right direction.

She said they are very happy because they milk the goats for tea, adding the flock is likely to increase as some of the goats are pregnant. 

Some beneficiaries of the Poverty Eradication Programme in Selokolela have complained of loss of small stock in large numbers due to diseases and theft.

She noted that people should appreciate the programme as it is a deliberate effort by government to enable the community to have decent livelihoods. Poverty eradication is geared towards assisting Batswana to attain food and economic security.

Although many youths today are disillusioned about the level of unemployment in the country, some village residents are living comfortably by earning a living through some of beneficiaries’ goat production business.

Another beneficiary at Selokolela, Ms Tshwanelo Rasedika aged 41 years said poverty eradication has benefitted her too since she now supplies Tswana chickens to poverty eradication beneficiaries.

Rasedika noted that she was given 25 chickens in 2013, they multiplied to 40, and unfortunately some died because of Newcastle disease. At Sesung village, there is also a poverty eradication beneficiary, Mr Sumasuma Ratshidi aged 61 years old who is a shoe maker.

He was assisted in 2016. He was sent to Morongwa Institute of Leather Technology and Leather Work in Gaborone and awarded a certificate. He was assisted with equipment to make shoes. He makes shoes for men and women, leather bags and belts. His business is doing fairly well.

He said his aim is to sell to farmers funded by government through LIMID, Poverty Eradication Programme, young farmers as well as to individuals. He sells his products at Kanye and Jwaneng mostly at the end of the month. ENDS