02 Nov 2023

 The bull donation drive aimed at improving the declining cattle population has touched shores of Chobe District as the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, donated a Brahman bull to a Satau farmer, Mr Chika Phuthego.

The donation was made during a kgotla meeting in Kavimba on November 1, where the President explained that the beast was quarantined in Pandamatenga Agricultural Research Centre to be released on December 7. The President stated that the bull was of a superior genetic characteristic to produce quality semen.

He called on other farmers to celebrate Mr Phuthego’s gift.

“As Batswana we progress together, today one of us is receiving a bull and tomorrow it will be one of you, so let’s celebrate with him,” he said.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao, the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination centre allowed farmers to incubate semen, hence called on farmers to utilise the facility.

Mr Molao also called on farmers to adhere to the best farming practices of record keeping and vaccination so as to produce quality animals. 

The bull recipient Mr Phuthego expressed his joy for being selected,  adding that President Masisi’s passion for farming was motivation for Batswana farmers.

He promised to take good care of the bull and continue working with other farmers for breeding. The MP for Chobe and Minister of Justice Mr Machana Shamukuni, as well as Kgosi Liswaani Sinvula III of Kavimba expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that it would improve the genetics of Chobe livestock.

They said the bull donation was a step in the right direction as it motivated farmers to treat cattle farming as a business with potential. ENDS