03 Nov 2021

MP for Tati East, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe has, on behalf of Presidents Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, donated a smallstock to some farmers in his constituency. 

The donation from President Masisi included seven rams and five bucks donated to 12 beneficiaries from Themashanga, Mowana, Mabudzane, Sekukwe, Matsiloje, Matopi, Matshelagabedi, Jackals 2, Tsamaya, Siviya, Ditladi and Tatisiding. 

Speaking at the handing over of the donation recently, Dr Letsholathebe explained that the President’s smallstock initiative  was meant to bridge the gap in food security and promote the smallstock industry. 

He told beneficiaries that government had identified lucrative markets for smallstock meat in the Middle East. 

He said Francistown Botswana Meat Commission abattoir would  be used as a slaughter point for smallstock in the northern part of the country. 

He said government wanted to replicate Lobu Farm in the Kgalagadi District at Impala Training and Research Centre in the North East, hence the decision to relocate some of the smallstock from Lobu Farm. 

Dr Letsholathebe indicated that it was against this backdrop that President Masisi came up with the initiative as the smallstock industry was profitable. 

He said the initiative was meant to increase smallstock production in the country particularly in the northern part, which had a total population 64 526 goats and 7 000 sheep. 

He, therefore, appealed to beneficiaries to put the donations to good use and grow the smallstock industry in the country. 

Dr Letsholathebe urged beneficiaries and smallstock farmers in the north east to sell their animals in numbers to Francistown abattoir to help sustain the industry. 

He also encouraged farmers to produce more smallstock and donate to other deserving farmers in the district. 

Kgosi Eric Moipolai of Matsiloje said North East District faced serious shortage of grazing land, which made the district ideal for smallstock rearing as compared to cattle production. 

North East District agricultural coordinator, Mr Gwilidzani Maposa informed the minister that selection of beneficiaries was based on merit and on their daily needs. 

He underscored the need to look after rams and bucks and multiply them so that in future they too could donate to others. 

One of the beneficiaries, Ms Osmah Modisenyane of Matsiloje advised other beneficiaries to take care of their donations and fight food insecurity in the country. 

Ms Modisenyane, who benefited a ram, is a renowned sheep and goats farmer, having started in 2013. 

She now has 37 goats, 30 sheep and 50 cattle. 

She explained that her clients included government and had used the proceeds to maintain kraals and buy feed for her smallstock. 

Another beneficiary, Ms Matilda Khuwa of Mowana settlement said she was thankful for the donation and promised to put it to good use. 

She started her farming business in 2009 and had so far sold 1 000 goats to government. 

She used part of the money to maintain her kraals and shelters for her smallstock. 

Other beneficiaries include Bokani Oabile of Mabudzane (Buck), Idah Mathamabo of Sekukwe, (ram) Pateince Pholo of Matopi (buck), Caroline Shagwa of Matshelagabendi (buck), Tumelo Joseph of Jakalas 2 (buck) and Vosa Michael of Tsamaya (ram). 

Bapaphi Thaba of Themashanga has been given a ram, Mmoloki Bhusumane of Siviya buck, Stewart Nikati of Ditladi ram and Christopher Maseko of Tatisiding got a ram, all of whom promised to put the donations to good use. Ends