05 Jun 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi on June 4 applauded the brains behind the Impact Genetics Centre in Mmamashia.

The facility is engaged in advanced reproductive technologies and genetic performance for a more productive and efficient livestock sector.

President Masisi said he was enthralled by the facility’s  undertakings and encouraged the farmer, Mr Monty Chiepe, to take his ideas to the next level.

“This sits extremely well with me. It’s a tessellation of mind, ideas and for me it will be a question of taking it to the next steps as quickly as possible,” he said adding that motivation was the only way to increase efficiency.

The president said motivation could only come out of increasing the market.

“We should device a strategy and we should do it holistically not only inclined to beef. We should tap into what we have and believe in ourselves.

We should focus on Batswana competencies and commitments,” he said.

Giving a brief on Impact Genetics operations, Mr Chiepe, who is the chief operations officer, said the centre offered commercially viable solutions in the livestock sector.

He said the primary focus was the beef and dairy industry as well as associated industries such as small stock and game.

Mr Chiepe said a foundation for a high impact national livestock development strategy and programmes with capabilities of wholesaling of genetics and technical support to farmers locally had been established.

“We want national capacity building for a functional industry and also value chain optimisation, a solution to refine the industry,” he said..

Mr Chiepe explained that the current roll out programme included engaging other countries such as Zambia, Uganda, Kenya,  and Mozambique for distribution and exportation of semen and embryo value chain amongst others.

He said the company had also tapped into the Middle-East as part of the global roll out programme.

Some of the potential benefits for the highly innovative production system, he said, was to have Botswana as a livestock centre of excellence and see agriculture becoming a major contributor to the GDP.

“We have to increase viability programmes for farmers and allow them to be true owners of the sector.

And also develop rural economies, employment creation, intra-continental trade and mobilise international capital and investment,” he said.

He assured President Masisi that he was willing to transfer his intellectual property to the nation.

Mr Chiepe assured the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia, who was also in attendance, that they were ready to collaborate with government and implement effective solutions to solve the recurrent value chain challenges.

Minister Ralotsia confirmed that they were indeed in progressive discussions and President Masisi’s visit was an indication that there was a lot that could be done going forward. ENDS