17 Sep 2020

About Six hundred and twenty people are now in small stock business, thanks to Mr Ndinaye Chengeta of Chengeta Farms.

In an interview with BOPA recently, Mr Chengeta said he came up with a goat rearing initiative, where the farm houses, provides water and herds goats, for different farmers.

He said he came up with the initiatives to help many Batswana to realise their dreams on agricultural issues and the response had been amazing.

He revealed that the success of the initiative had made him think of bringing in other initiatives such as piggery and poultry groups, which are to follow.

Mr Chengeta pointed out that his desire was to see Batswana having a bigger stake in the agricultural sector and raising productivity in agriculture sector , which is essential and can bring quick wins, such as domestic self-sufficiency, job creation, innovation and the adoption of new technologies.

He further said his research revealed that small stock was in high demand, adding that small stock production also had quick returns and could add more value to the economy.

He highlighted that COVID-19 and the resultant cross-border restrictions had also highlighted the need for improved domestic food production, to achieve a higher degree of self-sufficiency in selected products.

Regarding the 620 people who joined in the goat initiative, Mr Chengeta said the partnership had the ability to make business more successful and could lead to sustainable economic development.

He said with the partnership, people are bound to be successful because they would be all managing the initiative, stressing that ‘the good thing about the goat initiative, is that everyone is an owner, it is like having shares’.

He said for that reason, each member would, on a daily basis, check the goats and there would be no ‘loafing’ for the herders.

“There is volume and Batswana need to realise that together we can,” he stated.

Mr Chengeta said the initiative also made it easy for the investors to exchange ideas and empower each other as some were BUAN graduates.

“For instance, the initial idea was to purchase Tswana goats, but since its zero grazing, some advised that we purchase breed goats. Our hope is to have a secure market by being able to supply in large quantities and who knows, maybe one day we would own an abattoir and be able to supply chain stores,” he enthused.

Mr Chengeta said after a year, the farmers would decide what to do with the initiative, saying some could opt for selling the goats and sharing the profits, while some, out of interest, could opt to start farming and go into profitable agri-business.

Meanwhile, he said other agricultural activities that would be carried out after the goat initiative; included the sheep initiative scheduled to start in January 2021, piggery in July 2021 and aquaculture.

He said he built the farm, to unite and help Batswana, adding that soon, they would be conducting shows to showcase their produce.

Mr Chengeta also indicated that some people have since come forth to assist, citing one Molepolole business man; Jackson Bangu, who owns an excavation company, who had sponsored the building of a dam at the farm.

He indicated that the initiative sponsorsed investors with free water, free infrastructure and a chance to do agricultural business in groups of 20.

He said each person contributed P3000 in installment of P1000 making over P1.8m to purchase goats, buy feed and pay the caretakers, adding that they had secured feed and would also supplement feeding with napia grass that he grows in the farm.

He said the 620 are divided into groups of 20 people, with each group having a group leader, who liaises with him, and then conveys messages to the group.

He mentioned that people are cooperating, adding ‘it is like Batswana had been waiting for an opportunity to use somebody’s land and water’.

Mr Chengeta said more people were forthcoming wishing to sign up for the initiatives. ENDS