19 Aug 2020

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has encouraged local farmers to venture into small stock production so they could meet the demands of the lucrative Norwegian market. 

Dr Masisi, who donated a ram and a buck to two enthusiastic local farmers in Mogapinyana and Tamasane villages respectively, said small stock farming was profitable if proper care was exercised.

The President said Saudi Arabia and Norway had shown interest in buying mutton and goat meat from Botswana. 

Norway, in particular, offered the best prices and demand of 500 tonnes.

Dr Masisi encouraged the two local farmers to use the Doper ram and the Khalahari Red buck to improve the quality of their stock.

He urged them to commercialise their production as well as to acquire knowledge and skills related to the business.

For his part, Central District agricultural coordinator, Mr Obert Mabutha said both farmers started very small without any government assistance.

The two farmers, Mr Bosele Phalalo and Ms Mary Mokgalagadi thanked President Masisi for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in transforming their lives for the better.

Kgosi Sebetlela of Maokatumo also thanked Dr Masisi for taking the initiative to Mmadinare constituency and encouraged him to extend it to other constituencies.

He encouraged local farmers to exercise patience and commitment in small stock production. 

In Lerala/Maunatlala constituency, President Masisi presented a Doper ram to Mr Thobo Kefelwang at Mmakgabo cattlepost near Seolwane and a buck to Ms Neo George who has 25 goats. 

President Masisi emphasised the need for Batswana to take their business seriously as it had great potential for improving livelihoods and contributing to the country’s economy.

He noted that internationally, people preferred Botswana mutton and goat meat because livestock in this country was not fed genetically modified products.

Batswana, he said, needed to take advantage of the market.

President Masisi further advised farmers to network and work as a unit in order to make a formidable force that would take the  business to a high level. 

He encouraged utilisation of technology such as the internet to market produce  internationally. 

The President further advised farmers to improve breeds through artificial insemination, produce livestock feed and to develop their farms such as by connecting electricity. 

He while visiting other counties he met some farmers who are making a lot of money through small stock farming, hence his initiative of donating rams and bucks to farmers to promote small stock production and agriculture to ensure there was food security in the country.

For his part, Mr Kefelwang who owns 54 sheep and one ram, promised to do his best to take care of his livestock and also sell to other farmers to improve their breeds. 

Mr Kefelwang explained that he started with only four sheep. 

Meanwhile Kgosi Mhaladi Mhaladi of Seolwane also thanked President Masisi for the good gesture and initiative of empowering small stock farmers. ends