05 Jun 2025

Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, is scheduled to officiate at a farmers’ field day organised by the I-11 Farmers Association in collaboration with the Department of Animal Production.

The event, themed: Diversify, Sustain and Prosper: Unlocking the Power of Integrated Farming, will be held in Botlhapatlou extension area at Mmaphoroka Farm tomorrow.

In an interview, I-11 Farmers Association public relations manager, Mr Falcon Sedimo stated that the event aimed to promote knowledge sharing, the exchange of ideas on livestock production with reference to animal husbandry practices, breeding, production parameters and marketing.

Additionally, he said it sought to foster collaboration and inspire the adoption of more resilient, diversified, and sustainable agricultural practices.

He said since the theme focused on integrated farming, there would be exhibitions featuring cattle, small livestock, poultry and some aspects of arable or horticultural farming.

He said the I-11 zone, which spans from Gabane through Kumakwane, Thamaga to Tsetseng, also included areas such as Salajwe, Lentsweletau and Matsheng, was known for its high-quality livestock breeds.

These breeds, he said included Brahman and Simmental, as well as Santa Gertrudis cattle and Boer goat, Kalahari red and sheep breeds such as Dorper and Meatmaster, all of which were expected to be showcased at the field day.

Mr Sedimo stated that the I-11 Farmers Association inspired women and youth to play a significant role in the agricultural sector and he noted that the role of youth was inevitable as agriculture was increasingly becoming digital, citing that these concepts resonated well with the youth.

A key highlight of the event, he stated, would be bull fertility testing conducted by experts from Ramatlabama Bull Stud.

He said auction of livestock sales on the day, would offer individuals the opportunity to enhance their livestock breeds.

Global warming and climate change, he stated, would be one of the topics of the day aimed at educating people on how to adapt and mitigate the challenges.

He stated that as the overall goal was to revive the agricultural sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, majority of stakeholders within the agricultural value chain were expected to participate in this event. ENDS