04 Jul 2018

Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia has implored Batswana, especially the youth to venture into smallstock farming as a business. 

Speaking during Isago smallstock field day at Gasethebe, near Kanye last weekend, Mr Ralotsia said demand for smallstock meat, which is highly regarded as healthier to eat than beef, had evidently overtaken supply as local numbers continued to dwindle in recent memory. 

That, Mr Ralotsia said, was despite the fact that research had proven that the country was suitable for smallstock farming. 

He said smallstock farming was also ideal for anyone looking to make a quick buck because goats and sheep bred twice a year with very high chances of twinning. 

Mr Ralotsia also explained that smallstock could withstand harsh droughts because they did not require that much of land compared with cattle. 

Mr Ralotsia, also Member of Parliament for Kanye North, revealed that the Southern District alone had a total of 172 371 goats and 57 011 sheep while Kgalagadi District had 69 876 goats and 31 200 sheep. 

Nationwide, he said there were 1 259 411 goats and 2 649 62 sheep, which he interpreted as dire shortage of smallstock meat against the population of 2.5 million. 

To that end, Mr Ralotsia, encouraged Batswana to take advantage of the available government programmes such as Youth Development Fund and Gender Affairs Grants to tap into the market. 

He said government had come up with a deliberate strategy to develop the smallstock industry. 

Under the theme, ‘Hands-on Innovative Strategies Towards a Sustainable Smallstock Industry,’ Mr Ralotsia encouraged farmers to build livable structures at the farms like the event host Ms Mosetsana Seakgano, adding that farming was not a pastime as some may think. 

He warned that neglect of livestock by owners often made it difficult for the police to address stock theft cases. 

Nevertheless, Mr Ralotsia warned livestock rustlers that a sterner piece of legislation was on the horizon for them.

 He said a first offender could get 12 years in prison for stealing a chicken while a second or third offender could be slapped with a jail sentence of up to 27 years. 

Mr Ralotsia further revealed that a gun involved in a stock theft case would be impounded while a vehicle could be sold by auction. 

However, he said Batswana would be afforded a chance to contribute to the amendment with a view to come up with a water tight law. 

Mr Ralotsia explained that the impending legislation was to enable Batswana to eke out a living through livestock. 

Meanwhile, the minister applauded Kanye police for coming up with anti-stock theft initiatives within their policing area. 

He also challenged livestock owners to pay herdsmen well and motivate them to do their job the best way they could. 

Small Stock Industry Federation of Botswana president, Mr David Headman, for his part, advised farmers not to operate in isolation. 

He said the Human Resource Development Council could empower farmers with training if only they operated as a collective. 

Mr Headman said Agriculture contributed 46 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product at Independence, but now accounted for only two per cent. 

He attributed the nosedive to the fact that some farmers entered the industry with innocent, get-rich-quick expectations and give up at the first signs of opposition.

 He said farming, like any worthwhile endeavour, required one to have patience. 

While he appreciated underway efforts by government to open a smallstock abattoir in Tsabong, he said the place was too far for most farmers and requested for the reinstatement of Botswana Meat Commission smallstock abattoir. 

President of Boer Goat and Dorper Sheep, Mr Thabani Machacha said there were currently no stud animals in Botswana. 

He said their aim was to have Dorper, Kalahari red, Boer and Savannah goats registered in Botswana. 

He explained that running a stud was profitable because a buyer would come prepared to buy certified quality. 

Mr Machacha said they had only 15 registered members, adding that they organised shows and auctions for the latter. 

Likewise, he said market was available both locally and regionally. 

Meanwhile, Mrs Seakgano also encouraged Batswana to take advantage of government assistance programmes to run smallstock businesses. 

She said government through Department of Gender Affairs, sponsored her venture. 

She further encouraged farmers to build decent structures at the farms to make their stay comfortable. ENDS