13 Dec 2020

President Mokgweetsi Masisi says small stock farming is the future for young people.

Dr Mokgweetsi said this when handing over rams to two young farmers at their respective farms in Bothatogo and Makgalong in Maun West and a buck to 54-year-old Mr Jonas Kobati of Kookale cattle post in Ngami on Saturday.   

The two young beneficiaries are 37-year-old Petros Kahuure of Bothatogo and 30-year-old Mr Baboloki Ketlogetswe of Makgalong.

The President said gone were the days when young people graduated and easily found jobs.

Dr Masisi said it was time for young people to find alternative business opportunities such as small stock farming to create employment and wealth pathways.

The President, who is the Vision 2036 champion said the small stock initiative, was in line with the Vision 2036 pillars advocating for creation of permanent jobs and curbing the gap between the haves and the have not’s.

Dr Masisi said the beneficiary; Mr Kahuure was exemplary to fellow young people through hard work and commitment.

Mr Kahuure was described by the Ngamiland Veterinary Services Superintendent Winani Malumbela as a hard worker who had benefitted from two government programmes.

Ms Malumbela said Mr Kahuure initially benefited from Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID), through  which he received 30 goats including a buck in 2009 and in 2011 he got assistance from Youth Development Fund with 52 goats.

She said Mr Kahuure formed a syndicate with fellow farmers, whom he assisted by equipping the borehole with an engine.

He has since introduced integrated farming by rearing horses, cows and sheep.

On his part, Mr Kahuure said he prided himself on his farming and wished to assist fellow farmers to go beyond limits.

Ngami Member of Parliament Mr Caterpillar Hikuama appreciated President Dr Masisi’s initiative of giving.

Mr Hikuama urged the farmers and other young people to take farming seriously, saying farming had sustained people back in the days.

Mr Ketlogetswe was described by the North West acting agricultural coordinator, Mr Kenneth Mabote as a dedicated farmer who chose farming over tertiary school at the age of 18.

Mr Mabote said Mr Ketlogetswe started with LIMID programme in small stock production and currently had 112 goats.

He also practices integrated farming rearing cattle, sheep. and he is  in the process of introducing poultry.

Handing over the ram to Mr Ketlogetswe, President Masisi said he was impressed that Ketlogetswe had connected internet to his farm and promised to give him a master meat ram worth over P25 000 in addition.

Dr Masisi said his aim as the champion of Vision 2036 was to assist and grow Batswana businesses to be able to create wealth and assist fellow Batswana.

On his part, Mr Ketlogetswe said he started with 29 goats only and about half died at the beginning but never gave up.

The President Masisi also commended Mr Kobati for his commitment in small stock farming although he was a person living with disability.

Mr Kobati who received a buck from said he was funded through Poverty Eradication programme in 2013 and he managed to build himself a two and a half roomed house and bought two vehicles.

He however decried lack of water as a challenge for his farm therefore appealed to the President for assistance.

The Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Ms Beauty Manake thanked the President for the initiative which assisted all people including the youth, the old and People with Disability.

Ms Manake advised Mr Kobati to approach the Agricultural offices, saying there were programmes earmarked for assisting syndicate farmers with water.  

She also commended Mr Kobati for using indigenous knowledge in the treatment of some livestock diseases, an aspect which she said needed to be explored by the Department of Agricultural Research. ENDS