10 Dec 2024

Thuo Letlotlo first beneficiary in Okavango, Ms Lethopamang Moruru (58) has encouraged Batswana to take advantage of government programmes and choose what they are passionate about.

The passionate farmer of Gwikachima cattlepost near Gumare said  she was a small stock farmer until an unfortunate incident where her goats died due to Dermatophilosis (Senkobo), an animal disease related to Bont Tick over 10 years ago.

In an effort to revive her passion, Ms Moruru took advantage of the government Thuo Letlotlo programme and submitted her application in July.  

She applied for the small stock package worth P60 000 which included 25 female goats, one buck, ablutions and medicines for the animals.

She  said that she was thrilled that the response to her application did not take too long and she was updated throughout the process until her application was approved. Ms Moruru received her small stock package last week Tuesday.

In an interview, the Assistant Manager of Corporate Services in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture in Okavango, Mr Venjonoka Ndjarakana said since inception, Thuo Letlotlo programme had received 745 applications under the beef cattle category in the district, 239 under the small stock category, 23 under layers category, 10 under broilers category, 11 under horses/donkeys and two under hides and skin.

Mr Ndjarakana said 28 people had applied for Tswana Breed cattle multiplication category which he said was however halted in the Okavango region due to animal disease control measures.

He said that the programme uptake was satisfying although a delay was experienced at the beginning due to technology challenges with the application system. ENDs