22 Oct 2023

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Ms Nancy Chengeta has commended farmers in Eretsha and Tobera for the successful cluster farming initiative.

She was speaking on behalf of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at the donation of bulls to Tobera 4 and Tobera 1 respectively In Eretsha on October 21.

She said Botswana’s cattle population which used to surpass human population has dwindled over the years and was about 1 200 million currently.

Ms Chengeta therefore said the bull nation initiative aimed to expand and improve cattle breeding as well as the agricultural sector in general.

The President, she said started with donation of bucks and rums, about two years ago, before moving to donation of quality bulls early this year.

Regarding the cluster farming, Ms Chengeta said it  was a welcome development that makes it easier for government to serve farmers better.

She commended cluster farmers in Eretsha and Tobera saying cluster farmers were able to share experiences and grow from challenges.

Ipopeng Cluster of farmers in the Eretsha extension was gifted with three bulls; a white Brahman, a Simmental and Angus breeds. The cluster formed in 2019 is made up of 54 farmers and has a total of 626 cattle according to acting district animal production officer Mr Lebogang Ramaloto.

The officer said the cluster had predator proof mobile kraals.

He said the cattle were tracked, vaccinated and dipped against animal diseases accordingly.

Ipopeng cluster chairperson Mr Monnaaleso Sanga said he was thankful for the donation which he said brought the number of bulls donated to them to four as they received another earlier this year from the President.

Fifty-seven-year-old Mr Moyoyo Tanago of Tobera 4 who received a Simmental bull started his cattle rearing journey with three cattle which were from inheritance.

He currently has 27 cattle and worked closely with other farmers in Tobera 4 extension area under Keisha.

He was thankful for being chosen amongst many to be among bull initiative recipients, adding the bull would benefit other farmers in the Keisha extension as well.

Mr Tanago said that farmers in his area were faced with challenge of cross border theft of cattle which was worsened by dilapidated cordon fence as well as lack of network connection.

Forty-year-old Mr Nyeru Simon of Tobera 1 extension said he bought his first cattle in 2013 and currently had 18 in total and was part of a syndicate at Tobera 1 extension.

He thanked the President for the bull donation.

However, he said farmers were faced with challenges of shortage of water from their borehole which relied on solar energy. ENDS