13 Dec 2020

The Presidential small stock initiative for distribution of  bucks  and rams to the  farming community is a personal initiative by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture  and Food  Security, Ms  Beauty Manake has said.

Giving an update on the initiative in Parliament, Ms Manake said the initiative was made possible by the President’s personal ambition and desire to see the growth of small stock farming in the country. She said the intention of initiative included creation of awareness to the nation that smallstock rearing created opportunities for wealth creation as well as restoring dignity for those who may not be able to produce bucks and rams at their farming centres.

 Ms Manake indicated that availing quality bucks and rams to members of the community gave others an opportunity to increase their stock with quality animals at a much cheaper option without going for Assisted Reproductive Technologies which might not be affordable to most farmers.

She said a total of 37 bucks and 26 rams had been handed to 63 beneficiaries across 32 constituencies, adding that the intention was to cover all the 57 constituencies.

She noted that the initiative was perfectly aligned to the government’s Livestock and Infrastructure Development Programme (LIMID) and also reaffirmed commitment to support small stock sector as highlighted in the past three State-of-the-Nation Addresses. The Assistant Minister said the President had also pledged to develop Lobu farm which was mandated to breed and distribute bucks and rams as well improve smallstock marketing and secure international markets.

As a way to harness from the existence of Lubu, she said the ministry had trained 39 beneficiaries on smallstock management following receipt of bucks and rams. She highlighted that the initiative was of great beneficiation since there were emerging opportunities that would create value chains in the process thus contributing to the growth of the sector and the economy. She said the growth of stud breeding programme would also reduce the important bill for breeding stock.

Takatokwane MP, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe had requested the Assistant Minister to update  Parliament on the progress  of the Presidential smallstock  initiative. ends