14 Sep 2023

Communities losing livestock and produce to problematic herbivores and predators could soon find a source of solace for this challenge, as stakeholder’s consultations for reducing human-wildlife conflict through development of value chains from wildlife products are underway.

During a stakeholder’s consultations at Ghanzi on September 13, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela, told residents that government’s drive to bring harmony between wildlife conservation and agri-business was in action.

The impending reform, he said, was expected to take a sustainability oriented model and should bolster communities living with problem animals.

He said mitigating threats of predation remain key because agriculture was a mainstay of Motswana from immemorial times. Therefore, he called stakeholders to make meaningful contributions to inform the envisage policy.

Making an input, Messrs Mogomotsi Serole and Director Tlharese called for game farming citing that it has proved to be profitable and sustainable undertaking which could help combat human wildlife conflict.

Mr Serole was of the view that game farming will enhance reproduction of wildlife, thus their by-products, he said, would in abundance and be able to sustain the value chain development. He said by embracing game farming, the country would still be complying with international laws on wildlife conservation.

Others who contributed decried delayed payment of compensation and that compensation against problem animals was low. 

Residents were worried that human wildlife conflict incidents could go up particularly with the arrival of elephants in the district.

The Chairperson of the Ghanzi District Council, Mr Jeremiah Tibi, said destruction of cordon fence by elephants in the district was compromising the green status of the region of being free from Foot and mouth disease and could spoil the beef sector. 

He called for an additional budget to maintain the cordon fence.

He called for engagements between land board, Department of Wildlife and National Parks and other stakeholders with a view to allow game farming within the agriculture zone. 

With a reset agenda in action, he said, exploitation of the wildlife value chain was feasible.

Reacting to concerns, Regional Wildlife Officer, Ms Nametso Molodi, said delays in compensations could be due to backlog as human wildlife conflict incidents was high during some seasons. 

She told residents that community trust; Itangoo of New Xade and Xwiskurusa of East ,West Hahahai and Kacgae, have benefited from elephant quotas in the region.

He said Itangoo received P1.7 million while Xwiskurusa got over P800 000 though this initiative, Her counterpart, Mr Letlhogonolo Phologo, a wildlife officer urged communities in agricultural extension areas to exploit the allocation of wildlife quotas to communities. Ends