01 Oct 2024

Botswana’s leading pioneer in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) space, Fairgrounds Holdings (FGH) has added a new flagship conference dubbed Botswana Livestock Breeders Conference (BLBC) to its annual conferences.

The two-day conference, slated to hold yearly augments on the famous consumer fair and targets to support government in promoting and enhancing meat production capacity to meet the international demands.

Briefing BOPA on the BLBC recently, the FGH chief executive officer Ms Gorata Gabaraane said the conference provides a platform for interaction of stakeholders in the livestock breeding including the Ministry of Agriculture.

Ms Gabaraane said the country has a variety of breeds and with scientists introducing new technology on cross breeding to come up with competitive livestock, local farmers were more curious to learn how to enhance their produce.

She said the ideal period of hosting the conference was during the summer season, citing that the period of December to March experienced high rainfall which normally prevented easy movements of livestock.

Considering the conditions imposed by the summer season on livestock, Ms Gabaraane reiterated that they also believed the conference will address issues affecting farmers, particularly on challenges such as drought and water shortage.

To draw significant output from the conference, she said FGH will invite reputable farmers locally, from South Africa, and specialists such as professors, nutritionists, and veterinarians to impart knowledge and skills with other farmers.

In promoting intense dialogue on the sector, Ms Gabaraane said they will also build synergies with government departments, livestock funders, enablers and beef distributors.

Ms Gabaraane acknowledged that government’s reformative plan, recognised FGH as a pivot for the 120 hectares of International Finance and Technology Special Economic Zones (SEZ), therefore said FGH was up for the challenge, and shall ensure that their complementary unrefutably deliver this SEZ.

She said their commitment to MICE strategy will continue to be seen through providing good service, accrediting service providers and building a network of collaborative partners and sharing commercial space with SMMEs.

Meanwhile, FGH marketing coordinator, Ms Ludo Nong said the inaugural BLBC which was held on September 18-19 saw a whopping attendance of 130 participants including breeders, women, and youth.

Ms Nong said the conference attracted participation of key stakeholders from government and the parastatal sector.

“Our speakers represented various industries that are into offering water solutions; LK Beef Ranchers, providing beef cattle record books, and Mpatlise, specializing in stock management, Techno Feeds, and NARDI explored issues of animal health and welfare for improved production,” she said.

She added that two women participated as speakers and demonstrated their ability in partaking in a male dominated industry of livestock farming.

Moreover, Ms Nong said the feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive and were looking forward to an even bigger and better second edition of the BLBC in 2025. Ends