19 Mar 2026

Government has secured 1 000 Girolando dairy cows from Brazil to bolster the nation’s milk production. 

Answering a parliamentary question on Wednesday, Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe said the acquisition was a cornerstone of the Milk Valley, (formerly Milk Africa) project’s strategy to ensure sustainable milk supply and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported dairy products. 

Mr Mathoothe said the cattle would be imported in staggered phases to ensure the health and safety of the herd, with the first batch of 200 cows expected to arrive in May this year. 

He said each batch would undergo a six to nine-month observation period to ensure that they properly acclimatised to the local environment. 

He added that the full procurement process for all 1 000 cows was projected to span 24 months. 

“To ensure the project’s long-term success, the Brazilian suppliers will provide an intensive 18-month technical training programme. This partnership includes on-site training at the dairy facilities and comprehensive coursework covering breeding, nutrition and herd management,” he said. 

The assistant minister told Parliament that the Milk Valley project currently maintained a foundation of 250 milking cows.

 He indicated that the transition from the former MilkAfric model to the current Milk Valley initiative represented a renewed commitment to self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector. 

“The progress made towards having a sustainable milk supply to Batswana is still ongoing,” Mr Mathoothe stated, emphasising the goal of gradually phasing out dairy imports. 

Shoshong MP, Mr Moneedi Bagaisamang, had asked the minister to state progress made in the MilkAfric project, now Milk Valley, towards having a sustainable milk supply to Batswana. ENDS