13 Sep 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has called on Batswana to tap into small stock production in order to take advantage of the demand of goat meat by the international market.

Dr Masisi last week took his small stock initiative to Changate, Botalaote and Vukwi villages where he donated a buck each to selected farmers in the three villages.

President Masisi donated a Boer breed buck to Ms Tobokani Matsogo of Changate in the Central District, another Boer buck to Mr Oteng and Ms Juliet Bolikwe family in Botalaote village and a Kalahari red goat breed to Litabamoyo Small Stock Association in Vukwi village.

President Masisi said the initiative was meant to fulfill his vision to reach Batswana in every part of the country.

He stated that government’s aim was to eradicate poverty, close the gap between the poor and the rich and ultimately achieve a sustainable economic development.

President Masisi stated that as the champion of Vision 2036, he saw it fit to empower those making strides in small stock so that they were motivated to do more in their businesses.

Dr Masisi said Saudi Arabia had shown an interest in buying goat meat in Botswana hence Francistown BMC abattoir would be transformed into a slaughter centre for goat meat.

President Masisi said the Boer goat and the Kalahari red breed were pedigree breeds with a long life span and strength to withstand any weather condition.

Dr Masisi commended the farmers for the spirit of self-reliance and further encouraged them to work hard and become successful entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Ms Beauty Manake implored the farmers to enhance their record keeping so that they would be able to monitor their goats efficiently.

She highlighted that it was commendable to see young people taking up farming, which she noted was a lifelong legacy if done appropriately.

Assistant Minister Manake advised farmers to take advantage of technologies like artificial insemination and invitro fetilisation to speed up reproduction of their stock.

Vision 2036 coordinator, Mr Christopher Molomo said it was important for every Motswana to own this vision and contribute towards making Botswana a sustainable country.

Mr Molomo said farming was Batswana’s culture hence it was motivating to see some Batswana were still rooted in it.

MPs for Nkange and Tati West constituencies, Dr Never Tshabang and Mr Simon Moabi thanked President Masisi for presenting bucks to farmers in their constituencies.

The MPs encouraged the beneficiaries to take care of their stock so that it could multiply and continue to sustain them.

Ms Matsogo highlighted that she was funded through LIMID in 2015 with 12 female goats and a buck, noting that the buck gave her troubles and she subsequently sold it.

The farmer stated that she managed to build herself a house and connected electricity through her small stock business.

Ms Matsogo said currently her kraal had 15 goats and eight kids, adding that President Masisi’s gift came at the right time as she did not have a buck.

For his part, Mr Bolikwe thanked President Masisi for the gift,which he said was an encouragement to them as young people. The Bolikwe family started their business in 2013 and has to date sold over 170 goats.

The couple currently has seventy goats, 41 adults, 21 kids and eight wieners.

 Litabamoyo chairperson, Mr Njalakangwa Nginya thanked President Masisi for the Kalahari red buck and promised that they would take care of the gift so that it multiplied.

He briefed the President that they were currently experiencing challenges with water supply and shortage of land.

 The association was formed in 2018 with nine members and currently has 50 adult goats and 41 kids. ENDS