24 Sep 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says the small stock he continues to donate is a symbol of love from those who have heeded his call to help up-and-coming farmers in their efforts to multiply and improve  flock quality.

 President Masisi said this after donating rams in Kamokamo cattle post and Soko lands on Wednesday.

 He therefore appealed to beneficiaries to keep up the spirit of sharing by either selling or gifting other farmers with the offspring of the rams or bucks they had received.  

Commenting, Kgosi Opelo Disang of Mmashoro expressed concern about rampant stock theft in the village warning that it might be a threat to the President’s initiative.

Kgosi Disang observed during the presentation of a ram to Mr Kenalewame Ntaolang of Kamokamo cattlepost that stock theft was a long-standing concern in the village.

If not addressed, the problem would reverse any gains that President Masisi’s small stock initiative was bound to make, he said.

Appealing to government to consider building a police station in Mmashoro to combat all forms of crime, Kgosi Disang lamented that stock theft continued to impoverish Batswana further warning it would thwart Dr Masisi’s efforts to empower citizens economically.

Mr Ntaolang, who received a ram, hailed the initiative saying the gift would enhance the quality of this flock and help multiply it thereby enabling him to reap greater benefits.

At Soko lands, Mr Onitame Lefoko who also received a ram, assured President Masisi that he would work hard in caring for his small stock to ensure that he became the inspiration that the President, through the initiative, wanted him to be.

“If I grow lax after receiving such a gift from you, I would be a disappointment to you and also to Batswana who are supposed to draw inspiration from me,” he said.

Mr Lefoko said it was pleasing to see President Masisi work tirelessly to turn around Batswana’s mentality that small stock was of a lesser value compared to cattle.

“It is surprising that being the farmer that I have always been, I have for a long time overlooked small stock in favour of cattle despite its calving rate being higher than that of the latter. For a long time, Batswana were keeping small stock just for consumption at family level, and this has to change,” he noted.

Noting that things had changed, Bangwato regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane said Batswana should now keep small stock for commercial purposes as the sub-sector had proven capable of contributing significantly to feeding the nation.

He therefore implored small stock farmers to not only take pride in flock numbers but to also endeavour to improve the quality of their animals. ends