12 May 2019

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says government intends to improve living conditions at cattle posts so that people can be more comfortable at farms.

Addressing staff members at Lobu farm near Khuis recently Dr Masisi said that it would be done through initiatives such as change of land use plans to allow farmers to establish businesses such as campsites at their farms as a way of diversifying forms of income.

Dr Masisi also indicated that in the long term, government would set up internet at cattle posts, although he said that might take time as compared to networking villages. He said such networking would enable farmers to use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to market and sell their products.

“This is then a call to farmers to move with ages and embrace technology because through it, they can conduct business from their homes and offices without having to spend all the time at the farms,” he said.

Dr Masisi also advised training schools such as Lobu farm to start online courses and weekend classes in order to assist civil servants who are otherwise occupied midweek.

“When you ask someone what they are going to do after retirement, chances are that they will indicate that they will retire into farming, but most of them have no skills in farming.

So such online and weekend courses will come in handy in equipping them for their new roles into retirement,” he said.

He said enticing people into farming through such initiatives would also enable the country to spend locally, the millions that are currently spent on imports.

After addressing the staff, Dr Masisi was briefed on the status and aims of the farm.

During the briefing, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Jimmy Opelo indicated that the farm was bedeviled by challenges in the past such as high mortality rates and poor coordination at different levels, which slowed its progress.

He also cited other challenges such as water supply, noting that the initial agreement was that a desalination plant should be established, with some stakeholders later reneging on the idea and resorting to equipping more boreholes to supply the farm.

Mr Opelo said that despite such challenges, the ministry had always believed that small stock had potential to diversify the economy. He indicated that staffing at the farm was good as all key and senior positions had been filled, with the staff complement totaling 41.

“The farm is still adamant on its main objective that quality should be the first priority,” he said.

In response after the briefing, Dr Masisi advised that the farm should also make job creation a priority, and that the farm should strive to ensure that its positives were felt.

He also advised that in its plan, the farm should make skills the baseline for success, and that they should diversify their breeds and include other breeds such as karakul and beef master to give farmers a variety.

The Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane implored the farm managers to have more practicals rather than just theory, saying that could also help the farm avoid the previously pitfalls. He also urged them to always include all relevant stakeholders in major decisions they undertake.

In his vote of thanks, the Assistant Minister of Agricultural Research and Food Security, Mr Konstantinos Markus said they would engage the ministry’s technical experts to iron out the existing challenges.

Mr Markus also appreciated President Masisi for his determination in resuscitating Lobu small stock farm after it experienced pitfalls. He also indicated that President Masisi’s vision and belief in the small stock sector at the farm was bearing fruits. ENDS