26 Apr 2022

Farmers in Okavango have welcomed the formation of Okavango Livestock Farmers Association whose aim is promote the livestock industry in their region through advocacy, improved rearing methods and practices. 

Association chairperson, Mr Ezekiel Katjimune revealed in an interview that the long overdue grouping would address challenges faced by livestock farmers such as  poor prices set by Botswana Meat Commission. 

Recently, he said,they convened a meeting in Shakawe during  at which they shared the constitution with farmers and discussed the objectives of the association. 

He said the association’s intention was to mobilise the community to take advantage of government and non-governmenta organisations assistance programmes, to promote better farming methods. 

Further, the association wanted to help in research, information dissemination on quality enhancing technologies, as well as market livestock products, he said. 

He added the association was eager to see participation by women and young people in the livestock industry, and would be working to incorporate them in its programmes. 

On what necessitated the formation of the association, Mr Katjimune pointed out that for a long time, farmers had complained about outstanding issues such as low livestock prices, lack of market and the broken border fence, which resulted in cattle from Namibia crossing into Botswana. 

Further, for years farmers had complained about the fact there was no quarantine camp in Okavango, which forced farmers to travel long distance to Makalamabedi quarantine camp, he said. 

Now, he added, they would be approaching the government through the association to revive Kgomokgwana quarantine camp, which  ceased operations during the outbreak of  the Cattle and Lung disease of 1995. 

“Farmers are hoping that their voice will now be heard as opposed to complaining as individuals,” he said. Ends