03 Dec 2023

Government has taken a decision to set up an artificial insemination camp at Kgomokgwana quarantine near Samochima, to benefit the people of Okavango.

The Assistant Minister of Agriculture Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi revealed during a recent kgotla meeting addressed by the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at Seronga.

“The President has agreed to your request that you need an artificial insemination camp nearer at Kgomokgwana quarantine,” he said.

Mr Molebatsi said in the meantime the Department of Veterinary had plans to refurbish the kraals and electrify fence at Kgomokgwana to make it durable and resistant to  destruction by elephants.

He explained that setting up the camp may take some time since the department had to source funds for the developments at the quarantine

Pertaining the topline dip which is being piloted in the North West District to fight Bont tick Mr Molebatsi said it had  proven to be effective.

The assistant minister however, advised farmers to refrain from eating or selling the cattle before three months had elapsed, as the dip was harmful to humans during that period.

Mr Molebatsi who was responding to residents, said it was possible for government to drill boreholes for farmers through Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development programme provided the farmers formed clusters.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Disho Ndhowe of Seronga appreciated the government for procuring  quality breeding cattle from United States of America for improvement of the local breed through artificial insemination.

 Kgosi Ndhowe had requested that Kgomokgwana quarantine be developed and to also provide artificial insemination service the people of Okavango.

He also talked about human-wildlife conflict and appealed to government to drill boreholes to water wild animals as an effort to curb the conflict since  both depended on the same river streams.

Kgosi Ndhowe cited stock theft as another challenge, therefore implored the Botswana Police Service to intensify patrols.

Beetsha Village Development Committee chairperson Mr Keapoletswe Moyenga said the Bont tick and the opportunistic disease known as Senkobo continued to kill cattle in the Okavango.

Mr Moyenga therefore appealed to government to help farmers by drilling boreholes at the dry land to enable farmers to move their cattle there since Bont tick preferred swamps. Ends