25 Feb 2019

For ages, Batswana managed to sustain their families through farming although it was associated with the elderly.

However, government has changed the mindset of many by stimulating commercial farming through funding.

Mr Nametso Raseipone is one of the youth who embraced the sector to diversifying the economy through goat and sheep production at Mocheanyana lands near Maokane. 

Unlike his peers who are chasing after white collar jobs, the 29-year-old went into farming at a young age and was lucky to be funded by government through the Youth Development Fund (YDF).

Mr Raseipone’s dream came true in June 2015 when he was funded to the tune of P94 000 to start his farm located about 40km from Jwaneng. He bought 26 Damara sheep, 34 Boer goats and two male goats and other requirements such as water tanks, feeds and vaccines.

Armed with a livestock farming certificate from Ramatea Vocational school, Mr Raseipone knew livestock like the palm of his hand since he studied different livestock, their diseases and vaccines.

The knowledge came in handy for the day to day running of his farm.

Mr Raseipone is of the view that goats and sheep are more profitable as they give birth three times in two years and that Boer goats have the potential to give birth to twins.

“I am currently enjoying the market from other beneficiaries of poverty eradication initiative, YDF, gender affairs and LIMID whom I supply with livestock,” he explained.

Though he suffered high mortality rates last year, he said he had since vaccinated and given supplements to prevent reoccurrence, and that he also ploughed lab-lab and other feeds in his nearby field to feed his livestock.

He maintains that livestock farming needs love and passion to return profit. 

The young man gives credit to his parents for their support.

He said he had started selling in bulk to government programmes beneficiaries to pay back the loan.

“I am willing to apply for top up funding as soon as I finish repaying my loan to buy more breeds and extend my farm,” he said when pondering the future.

He, however, noted predators as one of his challenges in the area, but has resorted to trained dogs to look after his livestock.

He applauded government for YDF, noting that his dream of being a farmer has finally come true.

Mr Raseipone said it was important that the youth take advantage of government programmes to better their lives, and that they should be driven by passion rather than profits. Ends