21 Oct 2018

The local game farming industry should create a balance between conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources for the betterment of people.

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said this at the annual general meeting of Botswana Wildlife Producers Association (BWPA) at Mokolodi Game Reserve on October 20. He said government recognised sustainable utilisation of natural resources as an area that could contribute to the country’s economic  growth.

  “To this end, deliberate efforts have been made to ensure participation of both communities and individuals in game ranching. Currently, individuals benefit from sustainable utilisation of natural resources through non consumptive approach since 2014,” he stated.

President Masisi said despite the growth of natural resources utilisation, the sector has not yet reached its maximum potential in terms of contributing to the economy as well as conservation.

 He told the industry players that government  was of the view that it was time to consider the hunting ban in light of the high population increase of some of animals particularly elephants and that government had started to consult Batswana on the issue.

 In addition, President Masisi  said government viewed the auction and export of live animals as an area that could contribute significantly to the growth of the sector. “It is thus important that discussions on how this would be done should be held between the industry and the regulating ministry.

The aim will be to achieve a win-win situation,” Dr Masisi said. Dr Masisi said the outcome of the consultations would  allow government to make informed decisions on the current challenges facing the industry.

He further implored the meeting to generate ideas and recommendations that would shape the industry for the benefit of both conservation and the economic growth of the country, as well as sustain the industry, while creating jobs with decent income.

The chairperson of Botswana Wildlife Producers Association, Mr Rudie Dewet said the association has been in existence for 18 years and had been though  good and bad times.

He said for the past two years, they could not even afford to hold annual general meetings as members were not sure about the future of the industry.

He stated that the industry was still developing and highlighted the need to make the industry viable again, adding that such fate could only be achieved in collaboration with government.

While Mr Ron Thomson from True Green Alliance from South Africa said the society has to learn the wisdom of sustainable management, adding that the industry depended on involvement of people in rural areas. He, however, noted that the carrying capacity of the local habitant has been compromised, adding that hunting wildlife was a form conservation. ENDS