09 Jul 2024

Good livestock management, innovative and creative approaches as well as high quality practices remained paramount for the agricultural sector to soar to greater heights. 

Speaking in an interview following Kgagodi future genetics show that culminated in an auction on Saturday, a Lobatse-based farming expert, Mr Moemedi Gabana of Gabana Genetics, lauded government efforts to revolutionalise the agricultural sector. 

He said government programmes such as Thuo Letlotlo and Temo Letlotlo have potential to facilitate the adoption of mechanisation and promote efficient farming practices and therefore were on course to transform the agricultural sector into an output-based and profit oriented one. 

Mr Gabana pointed out that he started from humble beginnings through subsistence scale with only 25 herds of cattle, and now has commercialised his operation that boasts 350 herd of cattle. 

He said he learnt agricultural skills from other more established and experienced commercial farmers to transform into a commercial entity in 2009. 

Mr Gabana who specialises in White Brahman, Charolais, Bonsmara and Beef Master decried land limitations, noting that it was an impediment for both aspiring and established farmers to expand their enterprises. 

He advised that the two important factors when selecting breeds are adaptability to the environment and quality of products. 

He added that Botswana had a dry environment hence he selected Brahman given its resilience and that it can walk long distances in search of food. 

“As for Bonsmara and Beef Master they have similar adaptability characteristics but have smaller body structure while Charolais has got more meat compared to other breeds,” he said. 

He advised young people to find a niche for themselves in farming.

“It takes dedication, application of scientific methods of breeding and mentorship from other already established farmers to soar the agricultural sector to greater heights and appreciating that it is not an overnight business as it requires a turnaround time of three years to realise aspirations,” he said. 

Mr Gabana, who also breeds high quality breeds of small stock such as Meat Master, Kalahari Red and Boer goat, says there is need to optimise the ratio of male animals (rams, bulls and bucks) to female ones so as to optimise output. 

He encouraged farmers to harness technology such as using genetic manipulation to produce desired traits of animals.

He said mortality rate could be reduced by vaccination and that good livestock management practices would aid the small stock sub-sector to meet the demand quota of meat for both local and international markets. 

Mr Gabana implored farmers to drill boreholes to be able to irrigate forage and also water animals particularly in the dry season or rather drought. 

He said President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s message at Future Genetics show was encouraging and would breath life into the agricultural sector. 

He said that the youth attended in good numbers pleased him the most. 

Meanwhile, Kgagodi Future Genetics Show lived up to expectations and was attended by President Masisi, Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao, Assistant Minister Molebatsi Molebatsi as well as Assistant Minister of Trade, Ms Beauty Manake. 

The show culminated with an auction that saw a Limousine cow and calf fetching P85 000 while a Limousine bull was sold for P78 000. Ends