13 Sep 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has commended Mr Stephen Malipiti of Themashanga for being resilient in his small stock business which now serves as motivation to other aspiring farmers.

The President who also donated a buck to Mr Malipiti on Friday said it was impressive to see an elderly person who was very passionate about farming.

Mr Malipiti is a LIMID beneficiary who started with 13 goats in 2012. His kraal currently has 64 goats after supplying government projects six times with 13 goats successively.

Dr Masisi said Mr Malipiti was one of the many farmers in the country who deserved to be encouraged and supported in their endeavour to grow the agriculture sector despite the challenges.

Shedding light on the initiative, the President stated that it was made possible by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security who helped him identify farmers across the country who were passionate about small stock farming.

He said the bucks and rams he had been donating were sourced from other farmers who were well established hence implored all the beneficiaries of the initiative to multiply their stock so that in future they would be able to also supply others.

President Masisi said it was important for him, as a champion of Vision 2036, to lead the vision by visiting Batswana to appreciate how they live and to also motivate them.

For his part,Mr Malipiti promised to grow his business adding that his stock had multiplied to a point where he became one of the suppliers of government projects like LIMID, YDF and poverty eradication.

However, the farmer expressed concern over the shortage of water supply at the farm where he plans to move his goats to.

The Assistant Minister of Agriculture Development and Food Security Ms Beauty Manake said it was remarkable to see how the Malipiti family had taken agriculture seriously not just small stock but horticulture too.

Ms Manake said the government approved the 20 per cent feed subsidy last week to cushion  farmers from drought in some areas that received poor rains.

She advised the Malipiti family to look into producing fodder at a larger scale and sell to others who were not able to plough.

Tati East MP, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe thanked President Masisi for his donation noting that Themashanga people were honoured by this gesture.

Dr Letsholathebe emphasised that it was important for farmers to expand their businesses and look into supplying the international market. ENDS