12 Jan 2021

Nhabe Agricultural Management Association (NAMA) has pledged its support for President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s small stock initiative.

The President has come up with a small stock industry building initiative which saw him crisscrossing the country last year donating high breed bucks and rams to promising farmers.

 The aim is to improve their stock and produce quality meat.

In an interview with BOPA, NAMA chairperson, Mr John Benn said the association, composing livestock and arable agriculture producers operating in Ngamiland communal areas, said was fully behind the initiative as it would take small stock production to greater heights.

The country, he said, would eventually have small stock champions resulting in attainment of food security.

Mr Benn said the initiative would not only benefit the farming community but the association as well especially since government had secured lucrative markets internationally.

Lack of market had been a challenge, he said.

Mr Benn revealed that the association was in the process of constructing a community multi-species abattoir handling small stock, cattle as well as donkeys.

“Our association will also benefit from this brilliant initiative as we will be able to take advantage of the available markets. The farming community will also be motivated to take small stock farming seriously,” he added.

Mr Benn called on farmers to commercialise their small stock projects and improve their herds with good breeds.

Meanwhile, in an effort to grow the sector,  government has established Lobu Farm in the Kgalagadi District to breed and distribute bucks and rams as well as improve small stock marketing.

Efforts are also ongoing to drill small stock farmers on basic animal husbandry such as when to deworm and how to apply pesticides as well as use of proper management processes to produce quality meat.

The objective is to help them fully understand market requirements. BOPA