24 Sep 2020

Individual aspirations and determination to uplift lives collectively contribute to prosperity at family and community level as well as to the nation, says President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

  Handing over a ram to 58-year-old, Ms Goitsemang Bareki at Modoole lands near Palapye yesterday, Dr Masisi said Ms her story was an inspiration to Batswana as she started with three sheep in the 70s. 

“Her vision was to uplift and be able to sustain the lives of her family members. She has managed to do so over the years and also managed to help other family members and the community. This is in line with Vision 2036 aspiration of prosperity for all,” he said.

Food security, self-sufficiency and self-reliance, he said,  were some of the key factors forming the basis of Vision 2036 ideals of prosperity for all and sustainable development.

He said her will to rear small stock and help others qualified her to be given a ram through the small stock initiative to improve her breed and continue to help other Batswana.

Dr Masisi said the small stock initiative was aimed at addressing food security gaps through empowerment of  citizens and Ms Bareki was identified as one of the beneficiaries.

He said goats and sheep could have a positive impact on peoples’ lives and contribute to the economy of the country.     

Currently, he said, Botswana could not meet demand for small stock meat, an indication that market was available in the country.

For his part, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Karabo Gare said the country’s import bill of lamb, mutton and goat meat exceeded P1.4 billion, a situation that Batswana should strive to address. 

He said the way forward was for people to work together, perceive agriculture beyond subsistence farming and aim  to commercialise undertakings.

 Mr Gare urged farmers to utilise available technology to improve agriculture and food security.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi said President Masisi’s initiative to promote small stock farming would go a long way in empowering and uplifting farmers.

Kgosi Olebile Lesego of Palapye also commended President Masisi for his endeavour to help fellow Batswana and uplift people from abject poverty. 

Thanking the President, Ms Bareki, currently with a flock of 40 sheep, said she was privileged to receive the gift and assured him that she would do her best to take care of the ram and the rest her flock. 

Meanwhile, President Masisi has appealed to farmers to always conserve the environment by keeping it clean noting that livestock was dependent on the environment for its food and therefore had to be managed properly.  

A dirty environment was not conducive for livestock production business, he said when handing over a Boer goat buck to youthful small stock farmer at Setatse lands near Palapye.

Dr Masisi said based on the current circumstance in the environment, the lucrative market for meat that the country had in other countries was bound to be lost. 

The President said Botswana meat was held in high regard in the international market since the animals were fed from natural pastures.

Dr Masisi commended Mr Mosimane for his commitment urging him to transform small stock farming into a viable business.

The buck, he said, would produce quality goats for him.  

Minister Gare has encouraged Mr Mosimane to take heed of the expert advice from veterinary officials to improve his project.

For his part, the Youth Development Fund beneficiary, Mr Mosimane, expressed the hope that the gift would improve the quality of his goats. ends