05 Jul 2021

Five farmers who have recently benefited from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s small stock production support initiative have expressed determination to grow their farms.

They said they were excited to have been given four rams and a buck and were ready to take up the challenge to grow their stock.

The quartet promised to strive to commercialise their farms and grow to a point where they would be able to support others.

When handing over the rams at Gamajaalela, Digawana, Metlobo, Mmathethe and Maokane, area Member of Parliament, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said his was to continue implementing the initiative as set out by President Masisi.

He said the donated animals were gifts from some individual farmers in support of the President’s initiative to produce and increase small stock for self-sufficiency and also to meet demand for international markets.

Dr Dikoloti said the gesture would help in improving small stock genetics and urged beneficiaries to also help those in need. 

He appealed to farmers to remain steadfast in improving their livestock as the donation was meant to assist them venture into commercial farming.

In his remarks, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Karabo Gare said the move was meant to empower the nation. 

He said the initiate was one of the efforts to attain prosperity for all, particularly after the debilitating impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

He said government, because of the COVID-19 impact, was even more compelled to double up efforts to improve the economy, hence the President’s initiative, which endeavours to empower emerging farmers.

Mr Gare shared that the update from the Bank of Botswana indicated that for the country to remain stable, domestic economy was supposed to improve by at least eight per cent.

He said weaker global demand, particularly for diamonds, tourism and hospitality, which the country was reliant on, was expected, hence the need for diversification. 

In that regard, he said government believed that farming had more value chain and when tapped into, it could help in poverty alleviation and consequently grow the economy.

Beneficiaries of rams included Mr Gaone Mosweu of Gamajaalela, Ms Boikhutso Bokete of Digawana, Mr Ikanyeng Mothoeng of Metlhobo and Mr James Mathiba of Maokane, while the buck went to Ms Phemelo Masejane of Mmathethe. ends