21 Apr 2021

A young farmer of Makgalo cattle post in the Ngamiland District, Mr Baboloki Ketlogetswe, says farming requires passion and dedication.

Mr Ketlogetswe says instead of proceeding to tertiary, he chose to venture into farming as soon as he completed his form five.

He started farming in 2009 with 30 goats acquired through the Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) programme.

He refused to allow challenges to derail him from his path, but rather used them as stepping stone that saw his small stock farm growing to become an integrated farmer.

He currently owns 212 goats, 98 sheep, 58 cattle and introduced poultry last month with 100 broilers. About 200 more broilers would arrive before end of this month.

Mr Ketlogetswe was chosen as beneficiary of a ram from the Presidential Small Stock Initiative which was handed over by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi last  December.

The President also promised to give him a meat master ram.

It was on that background that the Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Ms Beauty Manake visited Makgalo cattlepost again on April 10 this year to handover the ram on behalf of the President.

Speaking at the handing over of the ram, Ms Manake said the President realised that Mr Ketlogetswe had potential as an integrated farmer and a farmer who encompassed digitization.

She said the meat master ram was to ensure that Mr Ketlogetswe expanded his farming. 

The assistant minister noted that digitisation of farming was an important aspect since it would attract more young people to farming.

As such, she said government aimed at partnering with communication companies to help farmers with digitisation as well as advocate for cheaper rates for farmers.

Ms Manake further said there was need for sponsors to come on board to keep the Presidential Small Stock Initiative going.

She also encouraged farmers to make use of programmes in place such as the Industry Facility Fund (IFF) that was being introduced by the National Development Bank (NDB) which assisted farmers with up to a P100 million funds for farm developments such as fencing and slaughter slabs.

 

Mr Ketlogetswe who could not hide his excitement said he was thankful to the President for the gift which he estimated to be worth more than P25 000. ENDS