01 May 2023

Accessible roads to the production areas remain a concern.

  This was said by Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao during the officially opening of the Sandveld Ranchers Association Field Day on Friday at Gambee Ranch, Western Sandveld.

 Mr Molao said it was as such that his ministry was currently facilitating the improvement of roads in the Sandveld area, linking B111 (Molepolole/ Serowe major road) with Sandveld. 

 “This road leads to Sandveld beef production cluster at an estimated value of P120 million as per the Transitional National Development Plan”, he said.

He said the road played a role in connecting Sandveld ranches and market places such as BMC, butcheries and other local businesses.

Mr Molao said improved roads would enhance the beef sector value chain from fodder producers, farmers, transporters, processors and manufacturers thus improving all stakeholder’s livelihoods and further contribute towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said in line with the RESET Agenda, government revised the Artificial Insemination (AI) programme in order to improve reproduction efficiency towards the goal of increasing the national herd and its genetic merit. He said the ministry has invested over P7.5 million in beef cattle foreign semen of different breeds to complement local semen production which currently stood at 248 513 (straws).

Mr Molao said a total of 12 200 semen straws procured included  9 400 Brahman, 300 Beefmaster, 200 Black Angus, 100 Santa Gertrudis, 1 200 Charolaise and 1000 Limousine and the foreign semen would go a long way in improving the local genetic pool.

He said the revised AI programme which started in the 2022/ 2023 breeding season, emphasises on the adoption of technology that included pregnancy detection technologies and use of oestrus synchronisation for timed insemination.

The number of entry per farmer to static AI camps also increased from five to 10 cattle, he said. He said during the 2022/2023 financial year, a total of 127 inseminators have been trained to facilitate uptake of the AI programme.

In addition, he said, a total budget of over P93 million has been approved towards the upgrading of Ramatlabama National AI Laboratory and Training Centre and the upgrading of the facility into the centre of excellence and a hub for processing of quality germplasm products (semen and embrayos) is currently ongoing. “This project includes upgrading the infrastructure and introducing AI in small stock and multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer”, he said.

He said since the launch of the AI programme in November 2022, notable progress has been made in the roll out of the Revised AI programme and cattle entry in static AI camps increased from 4 230 to 6 530 cattle adding that cattle entry per farmer also increased from five to 10 cattle.

Mr Molao said in order to liberise the beef industry the ministry was in the process of establishing the Meat Industry Regulatory Authority (MIRA) for regulating the industry’s business operations and the authority would create a conducive business environment in the beef sub-sector. 

He said the export of live cattle for slaughter has contributed positively to livelihoods of farmers and the offtake has increased reducing grazing pressure on the rangelands. 

He said the live cattle export resulted in the market offering competitive beef prices hence better returns for farmers and since the inception, a total of 424 030 live cattle have been exported to various countries that includes South Africa, Namibia and Democratic Republic of Congo.

He urged farmers to take advantage of  the  dispensation as it would be coming to an end in December 2023. 

Beef Master Breeder, world championship winner, Mr Christiaan Lemcke advised Batswana to stop selling land but rather rent it out. He urged farmers to buy cows that are fertile to avoid overspending.  

Chairperson of Sandveld Ranchers Association Mr Boitshoko Sekwati said the field day provided a platform and opportunity for all value chain players in the livestock sector to share experiences and ideas towards development of the sector.  ENDs