03 Feb 2014

Farmers in Matshelagabedi are facing challenges as a result of the restocking exercise and have appealed to the government for help.

Speaking at a kgotla meeting addressed by the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi recently, one of the residents, Ms Catherine Chengeta said some of the cattle that they were given were not healthy. She said one of those she was given had its skin peeling off while the other had elongated hooves.

She said since most farmers do not have money to purchase medication for the cattle, the government should assist them. Ms Chengeta noted that most of the cattle were ill because they were not adapting to their new environment. Another farmer, Mr David Khupe said some of the cattle died a few days after they were given to them.

He requested the government to consider replacing the cattle that die at least three months after they were given out. Meanwhile, another farmer, Ms Idah Choma complained about the lack of consultation prior to the restocking exercise. She said they were only informed through a notice at the kgotla.

Ms Choma also said some of the cattle were wild and had already gone astray. She suggested that the government should assist with looking for them through the matimela programme. Ms Kgalalelo Motsamai noted that the cordon fence along the Zimbabwe/Botswana border was too old. She said she suspects that some of the missing cattle could have crossed into Zimbabwe.

Mr Molebatsi, who is also Tswapong South MP, promised residents that he would forward their suggestions with relevant authorities. Earlier on, he informed residents that the restocking exercise was completed in the Matsiloje areas while that of small stock has been completed in Patayamatebele and Tonota.

He said the restocking of small stock would start in Matsiloje areas by the end of February and that the ministry was expecting to start the restocking of cattle in Patayamatebele and Tonota during the same period. Mr Molebatsi further said after the re-zoning of Zone 6, cattle from the area could be slaughtered for the EU market.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Oganne Polson thanked the government for restocking and expressed hope that the cattle and small stock would help the community improve their livelihoods. Area councillor, Ms Winnie Showa requested the assistant minister to bring feedback on ssues raised by residents in a period of a month. She said issues were always raised in kgotla meetings, but that people were never given feedback.  ENDS