06 May 2018

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agricultural Development  and Food Production, Dr John Moreki has encouraged farmers to practice on-farm artificial insemination (AI) in order to increase cattle populations.

Speaking during a field day organised by Kgomokoma Association, Dr Moreki said trends in the demand for livestock and its products in developing countries was expected to increase by two to eight fold from 2030 to 2050. The association is made up of cattle producers at Mogwagwane farm nearby Sorilatholo. Dr Moreki said the high demand was attributed to an increase in human population in the next decades.

He highlighted that the increase in population called for farmers to increase food production, not only for Botswana but also for external markets. He pointed out that it could be possible only if farmers used technologies and innovative ways to meet the demand.

Dr Moreki pointed out that although the method has been used for a long time, its full benefits were yet to be realised.

This, he said, could happen when farmers started to use artificial insemination on their farms as it would not only reduce government’s burden, but would also improve the genetics of cattle by introducing improved breeds.
The deputy permanent secretary noted that there were 15 AI camps throughout the country, adding that   the facilities were underutilised.

Dr Moreki said AI was possible in communal areas. He also revealed that an on-farm artificial insemination programme was estimated to cost P8 000, including the purchase of AI equipment, semen and maintenance of semen during of-breeding season.  On the other hand, he noted that it cost not less than P20 000 to buy a bull.

He said the conception rate through AI was estimated to be above 80 per cent compared to less than 50 per cent in cattle posts.

Dr Moreki also informed farmers of government’s concern over the increasing import bill that needed to be reduced.  Of  major concern, he said was the low livestock production in communal areas, saying it needed immediate attention so that farmers could realise the benefits of rearing.

The chairperson of Kgomokoma Association, Mr Kabelo Phelelo explained that it was the second field day since the association was established in 2015.  

He said the association has purchased all AI equipment in order to improve their cattle and improve their livestock and farm management practices.

He also said that they decided to form an association upon realising that they could achieve a lot when they were united.  Although they were faced with many challenges including bad access roads that made it difficult to sell to BMC, he said they have found it beneficial to speak with one voice to government.

For his part, Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) manager for livestock procurement, Mr Galenyatse Bathuseng said 80 per cent of cattle slaughtered at BMC were from communal areas hence it was important that farmers should register their cattle posts in order to be eligible to sell to the lucrative EU market.  

He noted that the number of cattle slaughtered at BMC had declined and urged farmers to practice good farming methods and management and to ncrease production so that they could enjoy good prices from BMC. Ends