15 Nov 2023

Batswana who have benefited from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi's bull donation initiative have been encouraged to also donate high quality breeds to fellow farmers.

Handing a Simmental bull to Mr Bashi Moesi of Dimajwe in the Central District yesterday, President Masisi said it was important that farmers donate to others because the idea was to enhance the quality of cattle breed in the country, while at the same time increasing the declining national herd.

The bull donation initiative, Dr Masisi said would go a long way in improving the agricultural sector and helping Batswana to own more cattle as the business community and individuals had also come on board to pledge to the initiative.

The Simmental bull donated to Mr Moesi was pledged by one, Mr Fankie Kokoro, while the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board donated feeds and vaccines.

The beneficiary was chosen following an assessment by the department of animal production.

With the evolving technology, President Masisi informed Dimajwe residents that there were plans to try small stock artificial insemination in future.

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao assured Mr Moesi that the donated bull had been scientifically tested for diseases and ability to produce, adding that the bull proved to be a good quality animal by 70 per cent.

Though the bull was donated to an individual, Mr Molao urged other farmers within the vicinity of Mr Moesi's grazing lands to take good care of it since they were also going to benefit.

He encouraged farmers to vaccinate and give proper feeds during this drought year.

The minister also urged Batswana to take advantage of the revised artificial insemination programme as it could help them enhance the quality of their livestock.

Stored properly, Mr Molao said semen could be kept up to 40 years and still be useful.

For his part, Mr Moesi commended President Masisi for the bull donation initiative, saying it had so far helped many Batswana. He promised to take good care of the animal.

Kgosi Kebadiretse Kebonemang of Dimajwe also thanked the President for the continued support towards the agricultural sector through various programmes.

He cited one of the donations by Dr Masisi in Dimajwe in 2021 where Ms Thabiso Makwati received a buck, adding that results were already visible as the buck, had so far produced 78 offsprings. ENDS