17 Nov 2022

Four farmers in the Kweneng District had every reason to celebrate yesterday as each received a bull from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The quartet of Mr Neo Puleng of Makhujwane cattle post near Motokwe, Mr Raoshi Basima of Matsuyama in Moshaweng, Mr Orapeleng Mologanyi of Diagane and Ms Dikeledi Setshwantsho of Suping are the latest to benefit from President Masisi’s bull donation campaign, which is meant to both increase the national herd and improve the farmers’ breeds, in line with Vision 2036 pillar of Prosperity for All.

The initiative, Dr Masisi said, was also aimed at encouraging Batswana to handhold one another to ensure that they became active participants in Botswana’s economy.

“Batswana are known for passion for agriculture, but over the years the passion has dwindled, leading to setbacks in the sector.

So I am giving out these bulls not only to improve the national herd, but also the beef quality and production,” the President said.

Dr Masisi added that the Reset Agenda calls for mindset change, that Batswana had to move away from their comfort zones and come up with strategies to improve their lives.

He said as a champion of Vision 2036 he had to lead by example so that Batswana could develop and grow, have healthy and better living standards, and create employment for others.

The President’s bull initiative is also in line with the Ministry of Agriculture’s goal of increasing the national herd and its genetic merit through the use of technology, in which arrangement farmers can take their cattle to government artificial insemination camps.

Mr Puleng of Makhujwane said it was a blessing and honour for him to receive such a treasured gift from the head of state, which he said was an answer to his prayers for his breed to improve.

“The bull has come at the right time. I have been struggling to acquire one as they are expensive.

Now, Mr President you have answered my prayer. I am very thankful for this gift,” he said. Mr Puleng owns 60 heifers with one bull which he started acquiring in 1986.

At Moshaweng, Mr Basima expressed the desire to buy Bonsmara cows. Having been a farmer for many years, he said he had used profits to expand his business by purchasing a tractor and drilling a borehole at his farm.

Mr Basima has 34 cattle, which he started rearing in 1996. Diagane’s Mr Mologanyi vowed to take care of the bull, promising to extend the gesture to other farmers to help improve their herds.

Mr Mologanyi owns 70 cattle, which farm he started with 13 cows and a bull in 2011.

For her part, Ms Setshwantsho said the gift gift added to the 61 cattle that she started rearing after ALDEP assistance.

At the time, her family had four cattle that her late husband later increased while working in South African mines.

She is unemployed and cattle are her sole source of income. President Masisi was accompanied by Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao, who encouraged farmers to take care of the bulls and ensure that they tracked and kept records of their performances.

Minister Molao also implored farmers to ensure that they complied with all pre-requisites for selling cattle to Botswana Meat Commission.

MP for Molepolole South, Mr Kabo Morwaeng implored farmers and fellow Batswana to emulate the President’s spirit of giving.

He expressed confidence that the gifts would bring about desired goals that would benefit fellow Batswana to make the agriculture sector more appealing and competitive.

“I want to encourage you to support each other and know that one farmer’s win is everyone’s win,” he said.

Another legislator, Molepolole North's Mr Oabile Regoeng expressed gratitude for the President’s initiative.

He said the bulls would greatly benefit farmers in the surrounding areas.

MP for Letlhakeng/Lephepe, Mr Liakat Kablay and Takatokwane constituency’s, Mr Friction Leuwe both encouraged farmers to take care of the bulls so that they could benefit other farmers in their areas.

Among the President’s entourage were permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Nancy Chengeta, National Planning Commission coordinator, Mr Christopher Molomo and other senior government officials. ENDS