04 Jul 2021

Small stock identification and traceability system is critical in curbing stock theft and increase product value in both domestic and international markets. 

Responding to questions from Youth, Arts, Sports and Culture Parliamentary Committee members who toured Lobu Smallstock Farm on Wednesday, acting Kgalagadi district Agricultural coordinator, Ms Hildah Motsipa said small stock identification and traceability systems for the small stock industry was important because the market demanded transparency and visibility in all production processes. 

Therefore, not having a reliable traceability system might compromise the credibility of the product. 

She said the development of the system, if implemented would also curb cross border small stock theft as Kgalagadi was located along the border. 

She said the small stock ear tag traceability system would make it easier to trace stock as most farmers could easily identify stock for the reason that there was no form of identification.

“For example, a goat will have an ear tag with a number, ear tagging is the best option for now,” she said. 

Lobu Smallstock Farm manager, Mr Geoffrey Balogi, said introduction of small stock identification system was a requirement for the market especially the international market. 

He said that identification and traceability systems would assist Lobu Smallstock Farm as they have in the past lost stock which could not be traced back as it did not have a form of identification so criminals took advantage. 

Mr Balogi said the system would offer small stock producers benefits such as ability to meet requirements of meat regulators which would lead to increased value of product in both domestic and international markets. Member of Parliament for Thamaga Kumakwane, Mr Palelo Mataosane had raised concerns that introduction of small stock identification and traceability system would add unnecessary costs to small stock farmers. 

He said unlike livestock, small stock identification could be easily manipulated by criminals. 

That, small stock yielded less compared to livestock and so it would place financial constraints on farmers to travel long distances to buy them. 

He concurred with Agricultural officers that a small stock identification and traceability system was a welcome development to secure international market, but for a farmer who would sell domestically it would add unnecessary costs. 

“Let’s not put Batswana under unnecessary costs, the tags are good for international market. I do not see the economic value for local market, farmers would incur unnecessary costs. Bring in meat regulators to deal with these issues,” he said. 

Another Parliamentary committee member, Mr Thapelo Letsholo said small stock identification and traceability was important for international market. 

However, he said it must be implemented such that it would not have cost implications on the farmer. 

He said like diamonds it would need a series of recorded identifications that allowed for the consumer to trace the history, and location of where the product originates from which was good for securing global markets. 

Thus he called for more to be done to reduce the cost on the farmer. Parliamentary committee members comprised of chairperson of the committee and Messrs Yandani Boko, Sam Brooks, Palelo Mataosane, Tumisang Healy, Thapelo Letsholo and David Tshere. Ends