31 Oct 2022

Artificial Insemination (AI) services at Chobokwane farm were recently suspended shortly after resumption of the services.

Explaining the reasons at Metsimantsho AI camp recently,  Ministry of Agriculture’s Ghanzi District animal production Officer, Mr Masilo Thutwa said AI services were halted after a bull kept at the farm as police exhibit jumped the kraal and mingled with cows that came for artificial insemination.

He said they were compelled to stop AI services fearing that the bulls kept as exhibit at that farm would interfere with insemination processes and compromise quality of breads. 

He was responding to Ghanzi South Member of Parliament, Mr Motsamai Motsamai who had expressed concern that Chobokwane AI farm was not serving its purpose as it had since been used to keep cattle impounded by Police as exhibit.

He had also asked when it would resume its primary purpose. 

Mr Thutwa explained that management of Ministry of Agriculture and Botswana Police had discussions regarding relocating of cattle kept as exhibits at Chobokwane farm to another location to pave way for AI services.

He said, it was decided that Botswana police be allocated a paddock at agricultural research centre at Xanagas farm in the interim for their exhibits (cattle) while awaiting for the development of their own facility.

He said the police were to relocate all the bulls to the centre soon, adding that after complete relocation, AI services would restart. He explained that when the arrangement to keep cattle in police custody at AI farm started, there were only 100 cattle, but currently the farm was holding over 500 cattle and 65 bulls as exhibits. ENDS