28 May 2023

The bull donation initiative continues to gain momentum with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi this past week adding four more farmers to the beneficiary list.

The four are Retired Colonel Moseki Moseki of Marulamabedi catlle post in Mmadinare constituency, Ms Mmasediba Maroba of Madale cattle post in Bobonong constituency, Mr Peter Motlhabani of Mokgwaphe cattle post in Selebi Phikwe West constituency and Mr Tshwaranang Motlogelwa of Majweng cattle post in Selebi Phikwe East constituency.

The initiative seeks to boost the country’s declining cattle population and revive the livestock industry which has taken a knock over the years.

“I saw it fit to connect with Batswana on that which they hold dear and understand better, cattle farming,” stated President Masisi. 

He said the drive was a joint effort by himself, individuals, organisations and the business community with the aim of encouraging Batswana to venture into cattle farming, increasing the national herd, improving cattle genetics and development of value chains.

President Masisi said Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) prices were no longer appealing to farmers which he said contributed to the decline in the cattle population as well as Batswana’s loss of interest in pastoral farming.

Government, he said, was working on turning the tide and returning BMC to its glory days.

Dr Masisi said it was his aim to see Botswana beef fetching attractive prices in the international market.

Also partly to blame for the current state of affairs was government’s imposition of  a hunting ban, he said.

The President said elephants especially, were not only destructive to property but also claimed human lives.

 He said though the ban had since been lifted, it did not mean animals should be killed as people pleased or provoked and eliminated under the guise that they were a threat to human lives. People should protect themselves or seek assistance when threatened by animals, advised Dr Masisi.

Each of the four beneficiaries shared their motive for venturing into farming with the common denominator being passion.

For some, it was inevitable given that they were born into families that lived and breathed farming. Accepting his gift, Col Moseki, aged 67, said he had every intention of sharing his Charolaise bull with other farmers so that they all improved their stock.

Col Moseki, who has 58 mixed animals to his name, therefore encouraged his neighbours not to hesitate to ask for the bull’s service. 

For 75-year-old Ms Maroba, a former primary school teacher, farming runs in the family. 

She started farming in 1972 with 10 units she inherited from her father and later gained 19 more.

Now boasting between 50 and 60 animals, Ms Maroba, received a Brahman bull from President Masisi.

Equally excited about his gift of a Brahman bull was Mr Motlhabani, 64, who owns over 140 cattle after starting with only 20 cattle in 1991.

“This gift came as a surprise, I did not expect that I will be one of the beneficiaries of the President’s Bull Donation Initiative. I always see people receiving bulls on television but it never  occurred to me that one day I will receive one,” said Mr Motlhabani a LIMID programme beneficiary.

A former BCL employee with 53 animals, Mr Motlogelwa, who was gifted with a Bonsmara bull, expressed appreciation for President Masisi’s efforts to empower the nation.

The 54-year-old farmer stated that  if the bull was well looked after, farmers in his area would be cushioned against difficult times.

Acting Minister of Agriculture, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi and National Planning Commission head, Mr Christopher Molomo formed part of President Masisi’s entourage. ENDS