28 Jul 2026

Ross Breeders has made history as the first poultry exporters in Botswana, dispatching a consignment of 90 000 hatching eggs to Mozambique.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony in Artesia recently, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti described the export as the beginning of a sustained weekly export programme.

He added that it was a milestone reflecting the growing confidence that the regional markets have in Botswana’s poultry.

“This affirms our capacity to become a leading regional hub for poultry production and supply of high-quality poultry products,” he said.

Conversely, he said Botswana was contributing meaningfully to regional food security, trade and economic growth.

 The project would create meaningful opportunities for commercial and small farmers and further stimulate local economy.

He stated that government was committed to unlocking sustainable employment opportunities within the agriculture sector that had set a target of 250 000 jobs by the year 2029.

“Today’s milestone demonstrates the resilience of our agricultural sector despite confronting challenges in the meat industry such as Foot and Mouth Disease,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti also said through the Agriculture Policy, which placed strong emphasis on commercialisation, value chain development and export-led growth - the Ross Breeders investment was well aligned.

Master Farmer Feed Director, Mr Allan Bradford said the company provided 60 per cent of day-old chicks in Botswana.

He said the Ross 308 had also expanded to supplying small farmers with day old chicks and that as at May over 300 000 chicks were produced for local chicken farmers.

Mr Bradford stated that the hatchery was producing 690 000 eggs per week and that the intention was to produce 2,4million chicks a month for local market and export.

He said it was important for the country to be self-sufficient in the poultry industry and that access to key genetics for the industry was crucial in achieving that goal.

Master Farmers Feed boasted key genetics to provide farmers with best stock of day-old chicks coupled with quality feed produced by the organisation.

A total of P85million has so far been spent on the unfinished Artesia hatchery, while four breeder houses were constructed at a cost of P35million, he said. ENDS