31 Aug 2023

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi bull donation drive challenges farmers to do things differently to improve the value of their cattle in the market for years to come, says North West District Agricultural Coordinator, Mr Onkemetse Mathemabe.

During a training workshop on good livestock management practices in Maun on Wednesday, Mr Mathemabe adviced farmers to be mindful of their livestock management practices if they were to earn more from their products.

“The time is now to start doing things differently and improve cattle rearing and quality. We want to see many farmers in this region benefiting from commodity-based trade by exporting to lucrative markets,” he added.

He shared with the attendants that President Masisi has promised to donate 40 bulls in the region which would benefit the four constituencies of Maun North, Maun West, Ngami and Maun East in the near future.

Each constituency would receive 10 bulls.  Mr Mathemabe encouraged farmers to take advantage of the initiative in view of positive yields farming had in diversifying the economy and creating jobs.

He said despite government interventions, the livestock industry was still faced with a lot of challenges hence low productivity levels emanating from poor management practices.

He said the President had also promised that if things go as planned cattle prices could be increased to P150 per kilogram to motivate Batswana to produce quality beef and access international markets.

He acknowledged government efforts to procure quality bulls from America saying the move was in line with reset agenda to ensure value chain development within the cattle sector.

Farmers were drilled on good farming practices for animal production and food safety. A veterinary surgeon from the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Oitsile Gobatlilwe, said practicing good farming practices was paramount as they could help farmers to produce animals that were fit for the market.

He revealed that animal product identification and traceability was important as it ensured food safety, improvement in management and made it possible to trace the source of the problem.

Mr Gobatliwe said hygiene and disease prevention were also key and called on farmers to always aim to prevent contact between healthy animals and potentially infected or sick animals.

Farmers were also encouraged to maintain hygiene and safety of their facilities and minimize contact between livestock and visitors. The overall objective of the workshop was to improve food security and the quality beef of beef produced by farmers in order for it to access national and international markets.

It also supported the objectives of the European Union (EU) SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Support Programme.

Dr Alec Bishi from EU- SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Support Programme said good livestock management practices provided safe standards for feeding, health care, prevention and treatment of diseases and the assurance of welfare freedom of animals as well as avoidance of cruelty, maltreatment or neglect to animals. He appreciated the workshop saying if funds permitted they could hold them regularly to empower farmers to do the right thing and enjoy the rewards. ENDS