22 Oct 2023

The agricultural sector remains critical to the country’s human development and food security, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane has said.

Speaking during the bull donation initiative in Maun East on October 21, he said the country’s leadership was responsible for promoting agriculture and making Batswana aware that it created a platform for economic fluidity.

The Vice President donated draught master bull to Mr Kelathegile Moleele of Jojo cattle post in Phuduhudu, Santa Gertrudis brahman cross bull to Mr Kemotho Sekoyo of Xwee cattle post in Makalamabedi and beef master bull to Ms Narefo Boeng of Zemona cattle post in Chanoga.

The donations are part of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s drive that seeks to boost the declining cattle population in the country and also revive the cattle industry, which has taken a knock over the years.

“The President is using an inclusive approach to improve the livelihood of Batswana, ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest to transform from a middle-income status to a high-income one. 

The donated bulls are of high quality and will go a long way in the development of the livestock sub-sector,” he said.

As such, Mr Tsogwane encouraged the three recipients to take advantage of the artificial insemination services in their respective areas to further improve the quality of their herd as well as to increase their numbers.

He further urged all to tap into opportunities presented by the agricultural sector value chain development to improve their livelihood.

Mr Tsogwane said at pre-independence and when the country attained independence, the agricultural sector was the main GDP contributor and remained the mainstay of rural economies, but it had since dwindled.

He said it was against this backdrop that President Masisi committed to improving the agricultural sector, given that it positioned Batswana on a high pedestal to create wealth for themselves and fellow citizens.

For her part, Ms Boeng expressed gratitude to government for being cognizant of the welfare of Batswana.

Born to a farming family, Ms Boeng and her siblings were raised through cattle farming. 

She started farming in 1983 after buying 24 heifers at P500 each from Baherero, who were relocating to Namibia.

She decried harsh weather conditions and predators such as hyenas, leopards and wild dogs, which she said were a setback to her farming.

Ms Boeng said the fact that elephants were also degrading the grazing pastures was not helping the situation either.

She concurred with the Vice President that farming was critical to rural economies and remained the mainstay of such.

Ms Boeng, who has 90 cattle, was of the view that Botswana Police Service’ Kgomokhumo operation should prioritise visiting the area frequently due to high number of stock theft cases.

Another recipient, 42-year-old Mr Sekoyo praised President Masisi for his visionary leadership. 

He said the country was on the right track of becoming a high-income economy and he was happy that the bull would add quality to his kraal. 

Mr Sekoyo, who started with one cow, is a proud owner of 36 animals.

For his part, Mr Moleele, who started farming in 2003, expressed concern over lions that were roaming the area and posed a threat to the livestock sub-sector.

He said though there were challenges, he tried his level best to strive for optimum output as the livestock was sustaining his daily life.

The 78-year-old is blessed with 30 cattle after he was assisted with five heifers, courtesy of North West District Council and soldiering on until to date. 

Dr Masisi had, on July 27, at Mochaba cattle post in the Ngami constituency during the donation of the first batch of bulls in the region, promised to donate 40 bulls to North West farmers with four of its constituencies getting 10 each. 

The promise was fulfilled over the weekend as the Vice President and some of the ministers donated the remaining 36 bulls in the North West region. ENDS