03 Jan 2019

The Mombala family has been hailed for venturing into commercial integrated farming.

The family that owns Lediba Breed Farm, has been practicing subsistence farming until it decided to specialise in livestock breeding.

The farm, located at Lediba cattle post five kilometres from Komana in the North West District, was home to small stock breeds such as Kalahari Red, Boer goats, Tswana, Damara and Eldefrance.

The owners said they also intended to venture into poultry and horticultural projects because their objective was to feed the nation by supplying goat, chicken and sheep meat as well as fruits and vegetables.

Meanwhile, some well-wishers praised the farm owners during official opening of the farm.

Farmers and the community recently thronged the site to witness and appreciate the breeds some of which were not found in the Ngamiland District.

Maun Administrative Authority deputy district commissioner, Mr Ramogaupi Gaborekwe, advised the farm owners to do a lot of research and reading to inform themselves and do the right thing for the growth of their project.

He said they should also benchmark from well-established farms such as Lobu Farm in the Kgalagadi District. 

Mr Gaborekwe said he was also impressed that the farm owners had come up with a brand and encouraged them to set some standards in order for their brand to take them to greater heights.

To make their project viable, he said they should network with other farmers, noting that they should understand that they had entered into a competitive space and they should produce the best quality.

The directors of the farm were also advised to market the project and grow it by participating in agricultural fairs and other exhibitions, which could add value to the business.

An agricultural expert, Mr Onkeme Gaebope also praised the Mombala family for commercialising farming and advised them to be hands on in order for it to yield good results. 

He expressed concern that most Batswana wanted to be livestock owners not farmers and urged the farm owners to defy the odds through commitment and hard work for the project to flourish.

He assured them of great support, noting that they had brought business closer to the people since other farmers would buy quality breeds to improve their livestock.

“This is a welcome development and we will come here for benchmarking. We have been buying some breeds from as far as Ghanzi and South Africa, but now we will be able to buy within our district,” he added.

Mr Gaebope further advised the farm owners to practice proper management as they were rearing a good brand, noting that a research study had indicated that quality breeds should experience 80 per cent production and five per cent mortality.

He advised them to feed, vaccinate and take good care of the animals so that they produce the expected results.

The farm manager, Mr Tsamaiso Mombala, explained that the farm was meant to breed the best and supply business outlets in the district.

He said they had kept Kalahari Red, which he said was not common in the country and assured the gathering that they would do their best to achieve their mandate.

The farm director, Mr Obusitswe Mombala, said they intended to develop the district and improve farming by supplying quality breeds, adding that they had 1000 animals and only five had died.

He thanked other famers for their great support in ensuring the project succeeds.

He also urged young people to benchmark at their farm, noting that the farm manager was an expert in livestock farming. ENDS