19 Mar 2015

Located a few kilometers from Khuis on the northern side of the village in Kgalagadi South District, Lobu farm, a government initiative, was established in the 1970’s as a pilot project for Swakara sheep, otherwise known as Karakul.

Farm manager, Mr Chakalisa Matilamba, says since its inception the project has been supporting farmers along Molopo River mainly from Middlepits to Bokspits, supplying them with Swakara rams and helping to market their products mainly pelts.

“We are working closely with Bokspits Multi-purpose Cooperative to help farmers with free transport and export permits to Namibia where they sell their pelts,” says Mr Matilamba. On average, he says, they export around 300 pelts twice a year depending on how much farmers have, noting that one pelt normally goes for around P500.

The farm manager says they encourage farmers to keep a pure Swakara breed if they wanted to make money because pattern, curls and size determined prices hence the need for fenced farms. Mr Matilamba also reveals that they help farmers with training on how best to handle the otherwise rare species of the Swakara sheep, adding that communal farmers are now also trained in livestock management of different breeds such as Boer goats, Savannah and Dopper sheep.

Though the farm now specialises in small stock, Mr Matalimba says they also have some domestic animals such as cattle to utilize excess grazing pastures and some horses for herd boys in the farm. Besides the 1 200 small stock of different breeds  and some cows on the 10 000 hectares farm, it also have infrastructure that includes a training center which houses trainee farmers from around the country with a capacity of 38 rooms, kitchen, storeroom and office blocks.

Mr Matilamba explains that the main aim of the project is to import pure ram breeds and bucks mainly from Namibia to auction to local farmers to improve their stock. He pointed out that they have since stopped auctioning and are now focusing on supplying poverty eradication and LIMID beneficiaries with Dorper sheep, Boer, Savannah and Saanen goats.

Furthermore, he says even though they have included other breeds, Swakara breeders should not worry because they too are given priority as the farm is working towards increasing the breeding stock hence farmers are encouraged to seek help and further training. 

One of the Swakara breeders, Ms Sophia Rautenbach who says has been in the industry for the past 48 years, reveals that breed has been her lifeline. She says she managed to raise her six children.

Ms Rautenbach who says she has never been to any job except breeding Swakara sheep, passionately tells BOPA that she has about 300 herds of such and normally sells around 200 pelts yearly. She says other than that, she slaughters other sheep to sell to butcheries and local people.

However, she is quick to point out that though she appreciates the help they get from government, she believes that for such to attract many farmers, government should help with subsidies especially for drugs and feeds. They also need help to get quality rams to improve their stock and quality of pelts, adding that there is need to liaise with Denmark where their products ultimately end.

Ms Rautenbach said such a move will help cut costs of going through Namibia where they are charged handling fees, air transport from Namibia to Denmark and storage.
Her son, Jacobus who has been to a course in Namibia for Swakara breeders, courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, also concurred with her mother that Botswana farmers could be making a killing from Swakara sheep if they had a representative in Namibia where their products are auctioned to international markets.

Jacobus also points out that with a well versed in the Swakara sheep representative, it would have been easy to compete with other countries because prices keeps on fluctuating for white and black Swakara breed, depending on the season. He says as such they need to be helped to acquire white Swakara breed since no one owns them locally. ENDS