03 Dec 2023

Kgatleng District has received 1 200 Botswana Animal Information and Traceability System (BAITS) ear tags for cattle.

Briefing councillors during a full council meeting recently, the acting district agricultural officer, Dr David Kitosi said only 50 000 ear tags were received by the Ministry of Agriculture for distribution across the country.

He said each farmer would be allowed to buy a maximum of 50 ear tags until supply improved, adding that another consignment was expected.

Earlier on, councillors had complained that farmers were unable to sell their cattle due to the unavailability of the tags.

They suggested that other means of identifying cattle should be used instead of waiting for ear tags that do not have a reliable supply.

Councillors were also informed that the extension of drought relief was the prerogative of the President following recommendations from the drought and household food security vulnerability assessment committee, adding that the extension of the current livestock feed subsidy would be determined the same way.

Councillors had pleaded for the extension of drought relief owing to the prevailing conditions which they said had affected most farmers.

Meanwhile, Dr Kitosi acknowledged that there was a delay in the payment of retailers participating in the 30 per cent livestock feed subsidy due to challenges encountered with the Government Accounting and Budgeting System (GABS). He added that government was working round the clock to address the problem.

Councillors had argued that small businesses were struggling due to late payments.

Meanwhile, Mochudi Water Utilities Corporation manager, Mr Moses Dikgang also briefed councillors on the upgrading of the water reticulation network during National Development Plan 12.

He said there were water reticulation challenges in some parts of the district due to aged infrastructure.

He also said they were expecting more vehicles to service the district effectively, but that Ramodibe settlement near Matebeleng was not budgeted for water connection. Ends