04 Aug 2019

Kgosi Kebonyetsala Fish of Nokaneng in the Ngamiland district says Dikgosi support solutions to challenges affecting farmers.

Kgosi Fish made the remarks at the closing of a three-day Commodity Based Trade (CBT) of beef in Ngamiland stakeholders’ engagement in Maun recently.

He appreciated the sponsors from neighbouring countries for sharing their expertise and experiences with the Ngamiland farmers.

He observed that solutions such as CBT would help restore the dignity of Ngamiland farmers, who had turned paupers due to limited markets for their beef, resulting from continuous Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks.

CBT of beef in Ngamiland focuses on producing meat of quality standards through processes that lessen the risks associated with diseases like FMD, which would help make the Ngamiland beef marketable. 

Kgosi Fish also observed that there had been improvement in management of diseases in Botswana, adding that the turnaround for addressing disease outbreaks such as FMD was about three months in recent times, compared to about seven years in the past, which was a total setback for farmers.

Ms Malebogo Mhapha from Nhabe Agricultural Management Association said the CBT was an enabler for stakeholders to be united.

Ms Mhapha said CBT of beef in Ngamiland had seen compliant use of quarantines by farmers and urged them to own the initiative for desired results.

The Director of Botswana Beef, Mr Kadi Seisa on the other hand, said the trade would help open markets for the Ngamiland beef in other countries such as Angola.

Mr Seisa said Botswana Beef has been buying the bulk of its beef from Lobatse abattoir for the Angolan market.

He observed that through CBT, Namibia would allow the Ngamiland beef to pass through to Angola, which would enable Botswana beef to take advantage of the development, which is ‘a breakthrough made possible by the Department of Veterinary Services’.

He said Ngamiland beef only had markets in DRC in the past and therefore encouraged farmers to produce quality beef to remain relevant in the markets.

The Department of Veterinary Services, director Dr Letlhogile Modisa said the CBT of beef in Ngamiland engagement was a success.

Dr Modisa said CBT was an initiative that ensured collaboration as it brought all stakeholders such as farmers, community leaders and experts on board for planning.

He said the trade of beef in Ngamiland was crucial since it was the first in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and would therefore be applied as a case study once in full force. Ends