09 Nov 2020

The impact of technology and rural to urban migration has had a role in the declining of traditional life of rearing small stock such as goats and sheep, said kgosi Boago Mosung of Botshabelo customary court.

Kgosi Mosung was speaking during a hand over of a buck to beneficiary of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi small stock initiative, Ms Dikeledi Madome at Selokwaneng lands in the Selebi Phikwe East constituency.

He said as Batswana embrace technology, rearing of small stock should not be left behind. 

He said Batswana should go back to their traditional way of life; engage more in goat and sheep rearing to sustain their livelihood and take care of their families.

He commended the President who is also Vision 2036 champion, for the initiative, which inspired and encouraged Batswana to engage in small stock farming, noting that the initiative promoted sustainable agriculture, self-reliance and paved the way to achieving Vision 2036 ideal of prosperity for all.

He said Ms Madome was a good example of Motswana who sustained her life through goat rearing with positive impact in her life. 

Currently, she has 60 goats after starting off with less than five goats some years back. She raised her children through benefits of selling goats. 

She has also supplied LIMID programme with goats also gaining income

He acknowledged her for effort and encouraged her to take care of the buck that was donated to her by President Masisi. He said the buck would be improve her breed and ultimately her income.

Thanking President Masisi for the buck, 73-year-old Ms Madome promised to take care good care of the buck. 

She said she started off as a traditional morula beverage brewer which helped her raise funds to purchase three goats. 

She said the few goats she bought multiplied and she managed to sell some to government empowerment programmes such as LIMID.

Another beneficiary at Phokoje lands in Selebi Phikwe West Mr Kelese John also thanked President Masisi for buck. 

The 70-year-old self-funded his goat rearing project after retiring from BCL Mine and currently has 53 goats and 20 sheep.

Kagiso Customary Court Deputy president, Kgosi Molosiwa Molosiwa, encouraged beneficiaries to take care of livestock and buck. 

He said Setswana culture preached self-reliance and Mr Joseph demonstrated such an idea by purchasing small stock to sustain his life and family after retiring from BCL Mine.  

He said all Batswana should strive to be self- reliant and not depend on handouts.

He commended President Masisi for introducing the small stock initiative. 

Selebi Phikwe Mayor, Mr Lucas Modimana acknowledged Mr Joseph for taking bold step in engaging in small stock farming after retirement. 

He said the donated buck would improve Mr Joseph’s stock breed. 

He said the initiative was in line with the town’s urban agriculture project. 

Mr Modimana  encouraged former  BCL mine workers to engage in livestock business. 

He said the beneficiary could use the buck donated to him to improve breed in the area for certain fee. 

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Mr Karabo Gare who accompanied President Masisi along with Selebi Phikwe East Constituency Member of Parliament Mr Kgoberego Nkawana acknowledged President Masisi for introducing the initiative which was in line with the ministry’s objective of eradicating poverty and empowering Batswana through agriculture to improve food security. 

He encouraged beneficiaries to care for their stock to reap benefits noting that if a person had one buck or ram and 25 goats or ewes, one was bound to have 60 or more kids and lambs in one year.  Ends