07 Apr 2021

Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security says there are 1.2 million goats in Botswana, with a national consumption of 1 700 metric tonnes annually, which converts to 78 000 goats.

Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister Karabo Gare said the 64 per cent deficit in the domestic supply was due to marketing issues leading to few goats sold.

Mr Gare highlighted that 44 000 goats were slaughtered and consumed domestically, adding that there was a challenge on slaughter facilities especially near production areas.

He said his ministry was putting up infrastructure that would enable slaughter of at least 10 per cent of the national flock that was at least 120 000 goats annually. 

This, he said, would provide enough meat for domestic and export markets.

The minister explained that there were plans to increase the national flock and improve its quality in order to exploit export opportunities that were arising from export promotions. 

He said the small stock cluster development, which had been initiated, would address all challenges along the value chain from production to processing.

Sefhare-Ramokgonami MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang had asked the minister to state rationale for promoting the export of goat meat when the country was experiencing a 64 per cent deficit in the domestic supply. ENDS