30 Apr 2023

For the country to realise it’s food security ideals, there is need to improve on both the quantity  and quality of the livestock and the sector’s value chain addition,  deputy permanent secretory in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Joshua Moloi has said.

Kick starting small stock auction during Khawa Dune Challenge on April 28, he said government has noted a decline in the numbers and quality of small stock, hence the targeted programmes to promote livestock farming, particularly in Kgalagadi, where the region has potential  to be become the sector’s hub.

Mr Moloi said the donation of Ram and Buck championed by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi  is one such effort by government  to improve livestock farming,  adding that the auction was to also expose small farmers to potential markets, and present Kgalagadi region as the country’s cream of small stock farming in terms of quality and quantity.

For the sector to grow and create wealth as well as spin-off businesses, he said there was need to do more in value chain development, rather than selling products in raw form. Coupled with the unique taste of the meat, he said Kgalagadi meat has the potential to do well internationally. He however encouraged farmers to balance pricing with cost of production and inputs. 

Speaking in an interview at the unction, Middlepits farmer, Mr Molale Sakurai said small stock is a lucrative business, especially the Beef Master sheep breed, black  headed dropper, and pure white Dopper products.

He however decried the COVID-19 impact, which he said has driven down small stock business. “Whenever you mention the price, they blame covid impact on their earnings, “ he said of the potential buyers.

He called on government to open up more market opportunities, and avail a deliberate programme intended to assist small stock farmers to improve their animals’ quality to make them more competitive, hence aiding wealth creation for farmers. He said commercial stock care was capital intensive, therefore there is need for government subsidies to aid local farmers in order for them to catch up with established farmers and market demands. End