28 May 2023

Farmers have been urged to use technology in farming practices as it has the potential to unlock and enable high productivity in the livestock value chain.

The assistant minister of Agriculture and Food Production Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi said this when officiating at the second edition of the Kweneng Beef Producers Association field day at Thipakaebaa cattle post near Diphuduhudu on Saturday.

He said farming had evolved to encompass innovative farming practices such as livestock trading which were conducted through the use of technology such as mobile advertising and marketing and virtual administration of auction sales.

Furthermore, he stated that to increase the declining national herd, government provided Artificial Insemination services to farmers at subsidised prices in the 16 AI camps country-wide.

“In this regard, the Department of Animal Production facilitates farmers to assess their facilities, conduct Pregnancy Diagnosis (PD), and facilitate procurement of AI equipment and skills transfer through training,” he said.

He thus urged farmers to venture into the On-farm AI programme as static AI camps had a limited capacity and encouraged them to construct cattle crushes at their farms to take advantage of the programme.

Further, he stressed that the introduction of improved cattle breeds as well as procured semen straws of high-quality bulls was meant to improve the quality of the beef produced in the country.

Mr Molebatsi also appealed to farmers to adopt good livestock management practices that would result in increased productivity by improving calving and higher off-take rates. 

This includes keeping records on production, business operations and even on the use of medication and vaccines as required by BAITS for international market accessibility.

Chairperson of the Kweneng Beef Producers Association Mr Masego Phuduhudu said they were elated about the introduction of new quality cattle procured from the United States of America and would procure the semen to improve their herd.

He commended President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for his relentless efforts in trying to improve and liberalize beef farming locally and beyond the borders.

He pleaded with government to consider reviewing policies that governed land use explaining that grazing land, especially in Kweneng was diminishing because of the encroachment of the city to farmland.

“If this is not taken into consideration the President’s efforts to improve farming will go in vain,” he stressed.

Area MP Mr Likat Kablay commended the President’s initiatives saying all were bearing fruits.The association donated two bulls and a ram to President Masisi’s bull initiative.

The farmers also showcased over 60 quality breeds during an auction sale that took place later on the day.The day was held under the theme: Gearing towards the production of quality beef through technologies in the midst of communal area challenges. ENDS