07 Jul 2022

Availability of water and land to farmers are key to the achievement of  food production and food security.

 Kgosi Oateng Setlhodi of Chanoga who is also the secretary of Ngamiland Small Stock Association said in an interview that it was important for government to consider providing land and boreholes to rural communities in farming areas to promote improved productivity.

 Currently, he said small stock farmers depended on Thamalakane River to water their herd, but the source was unreliable due to aridity and climate change. Water, he said was a critical input for production hence farmers should be provided  with it.

  Kgosi Setlhodi was hopeful that the revised LIMID would provide packages aimed at assisting small stock farmers with infrastructure development such as borehole drilling, equipping, reticulation and purchasing.

  Providing enough quality water, he said was essential for good small stock husbandry.

 He called on government to secure ranches for small stock to increase production, adding that most farmers were farming under traditional system which was not fenced hence there was limited controlled movement of animals.

  Allocation of ranches to farmers associations, he said could help upscale small farmers to ensure they get value for their efforts in small stock production. He said associations should start sustainable projects meaningful to their members.

 Associations, he said could also use their ranches for benchmarking missions as well as hosting field days and auctions. 

Further, he said small stock had potential to help diversify the economy and alleviate poverty in rural communities.

 “Our mandate as associations is not only to represent the interests of our members, but we have a duty to facilitate outreach programmes to empower our members and with allocation of ranches, we can have a space for learning opportunities and help our members to overcome their marketing obstacles,” he added.

  Majority of small stock farmers, he said were small-scale farmers who needed continued assistance to adapt to small stock best farming practices and commercialised faming.

 Furthermore, he noted that Ngamiland region was not self-sufficient in small stock breeding and believed that if they had land, they could forge partnerships and establish a centre where members could easily be provided with semen to improve their herds.

 On a different issue, Kgosi expressed concern about stock theft in the district noting that farmers were frustrated by escalating stock theft and wished the enormous challenge must be addressed.

  While he appreciated efforts by the police to curb stock theft, he called on farmers to join forces with police on challenges affecting production to improve food security.

  In a recent Kgotla meeting, assistant superintendent Tabengwa Magwama admitted that stock theft was rife in the district noting that local butcheries exacerbated the situation by buying stolen meat.

  To rectify the situation, he said they inspect butcheries twice a week and those not complying with procedure were taken to task. Assistant Superintendent Magwama urged farmers to report suspicious incidents. ENDS