28 Sep 2023

A broader policy framework is required to tackle constraints facing livestock sector to unleash its potential, Professor Tebogo Seleka of Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) has said.

Addressing delegates at the side event of the ongoing All-Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture (AAAC) in Gaborone September 27, Prof. Seleka, who is the Dean of Agribusiness, Education and Extension said public policy was an important determinant of performance of the livestock sector.

He said public policy in agriculture had historically focused on crop production, particularly staple crops. He said this was because increased production of food crops had been seen as one of the pathways for achieving food security and enhancing livelihoods among smallholder farmers.

Notably, Prof. Seleka said this narrow view of food security led to the neglect of the livestock sector and ignored the fact that enhancing smallholder livestock productivity could improve household income, livelihoods and food security.

“Public policy focus on staple food production has guided public sector expenditure priorities within the agricultural sector, with less emphasis placed on the livestock sector. There could be a few exceptions to this general trend,” he said.

For example, Prof. Seleka said in Botswana, the livestock sub-sector had been allocated the largest share of public expenditure in Agriculture.

This was befitting because livestock farming accounts for the largest share of agricultural value add, he said.

Though this was the case, Prof. Seleka said Botswana’s livestock sector was still confronted with similar problems to those seen in other African countries.

He said despite receiving lower public expenditure and investment priority, the livestock sector across the continent had untapped potential that remained to be exploited.

“We need sound macroeconomic policies and a stable political environment to provide a concussive environment for long term investment in the livestock sector-stable fiscal and monetary policy, rule of law and defined land rights,” he said.

In addition, he said there was need for sector-specific policies that could address constraints peculiar to the livestock sector.

Prof. Seleka said Africa needed policies and strategies for ensuring access to production inputs and increasing livestock productivity.

Moreover, he said there was need to ensure access to markets both domestic and international, trade policies, telecommunications, technology and internet.

Prof. Seleka said policy and strategy cultivation ought to address production and marketing risks including access to insurance, early warning system and others.

Also, he said the developments should provide for management of public goods such as roads, utilities, common pastures, vaccination against diseases of economic importance, food safety and quality.

The side event was themed; Enhancing Livestock Investments: Policies, Strategies and Partnerships for Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa.

The AAAC started on Tuesday and will end today. ENDS