15 Jan 2014

The MP for Shoshong, Mr Phillip Makgalemele has advised farmers in his constituency to engage in commercial farming.

He urged livestock farmers to sell their animals and not to admire them. Addressing a series of kgotla meetings in his constituency over the weekend, Mr Makgalemele said although cattle farming was a sign of wealth and status, it was advisable that they sell them to uplift their living standards.

He said some farmers have a tendency of keeping cattle for a long time instead of selling them while still young for better returns. He urged them to sell their cattle to Botswana Meat Commission or butcheries to avoid losing them through drought and diseases.

Mr Makgalemele noted that in the Shoshong region alone, over 41 000 cattle died of drought and diseases other than Foot and Mouth Disease over the last five years. The Shoshong MP advised farmers in his constituency to practice modern farming methods to achieve better returns.

He said the agricultural sector could employ everyone in his constituency. He further said there was a lot to produce, citing honey, dairy and beef products. The MP said Batswana should produce food for themselves as well as exporting to other countries.

Mr Makgalemele also urged his constituents to practice row planting and to use appropriate technology, saying that would yield good results. ENDS