01 Jul 2024

 Harsh weather conditions and limited rainfall require farmers to change their way of doing things and focus more on methods and techniques that promote a sustainable development.

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said during the Voorslag Boteti Agricultural Exposition held in Letlhakane on Friday that issues around environment, social and governance commonly known as ESG had taken a centre stage in agriculture.

Sustainability in farming, he said, meant that farmers met needs of existing and future generations, ensuring profitability, good environmental status, social and economic equity.

For his part, the Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao said the recently launched Thuo Letlotlo could be used to unlock various agricultural value chains through livestock digitisation for the development of system applications in animal and business management.

Mr Molao stated that private extension service and agribusiness planning as well as training, coaching, mentoring and field support services to beneficiaries were crucial.

He indicated that the programme operated under eight objectives being commercialisation of the livestock sector, growing the livestock sector in numbers and quality, promoting food security through improved livestock productivity and improving livestock management practices.

He stated that it was expected that when fully implemented, the programme would lead to commercialisation, economic diversification, increased competitiveness of livestock products, uplifting the livelihoods of the rural populace and sustainable use of and conservation of natural resources.

The registration system, he said, was up and running, but in order to access it, one needed to either register under BAITS3 or migrate from BAITS2 to BAITS3.

Mr Molao stated that for one to proceed with the programme, a toilet or ablution facility must be constructed on the farm.

He said an ablution was a requirement because livestock diseases emanated from improper disposal of waste, therefore all ways possible were tried to eliminate any possible spread of diseases to livestock.

He stated that aquaculture and apiculture sub-sectors, although new to Botswana, were crucial in that they went a long way in contributing to food and nutrition, employment and wealth creation, especially to the livelihoods of marginalised rural communities, as well as diversifying the economy.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi had declared 2023/24 season an extreme agricultural drought year.

Therefore, Mr Molao said,  his ministry would continue to provide a 30 per cent livestock feed subsidy for roughage, concentrates, mineral supplements, botulism vaccine and vitamin supplements with effect from July 1 to July 31.

He said it would also provide subsidies for non-traditional commodities such as dairy, piggery, aquaculture, apiculture and poultry at 30 per cent for small holder farmers over the same period.

The ministry, he said would also equip boreholes and reticulate water for livestock in unused government or community borehole areas that had serious water shortage, with priority given to hotspot areas.

The general manager of Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) Mr Mogakolodi Maoketsa said they had since partnered with relevant local authorities and community groups to assist in the improvement of livelihoods of communities in Malatswae, Khwee and Xhumo.

Mr Maoketsa stated that with a commitment P7.4 million from its Corporate Social Investment budget towards the initiatives, OLDM had achieved projects such as Malatswae Integrated Farm, Khwee Community Ranch and Xhumo Horticultural Farm. ENDS