20 Jan 2020

Completion of schooling comes with different emotions and reactions. The suspense of waiting for the results can be a bit depressing for both the parents and pupils.

Announcement of the results can be a bit stressful too as the result can be what one was not expecting. However, whatever the results may be, it is up to the individual to take it like a responsible being who can make something out of their life.

A certain Mr Lopang Kebotlogetse from Serowe is one of the many people who did their best in high school but was short of a few points to reach varsity. However, that did not discourage him as he began thinking of other ways of making a living. He did not have to think long and hard as an idea soon struck him.

Growing up, Mr Kebotlogetse got to see his parents involved in rearing chickens. He became accustomed to the culture such that he decided to follow suite. However, his aim was not just to focus on the Tswana breed like his folks. He decided to buy different breeds so as to accommodate different customers.

Even though he did not have any source of income then, he was determined to work hard so as to accumulate enough cash to be able to start the project. In 2015, he found a job at Sekgoma Memorial Hospital as a cleaner which came as an opportunity to start saving. The following year, 2016, was when he started his project.

“I got employed at Sekgoma in 2015, 2016 I started this project. I upgraded from Tswana to pure breeds. I have chickens like Orpingtons, bantams light Sussex,” he said.

Since he was just starting, and had not enough savings to get a spacious place to erect a hatchery, he used the available space where he stays instead.

Regardless of this rather small environment for a hatchery, Mr Kebotlogetse explained that he still manages to raise enough chickens for consumption as well as for business purposes.

When explaining the business side of his hatchery, Mr Kebotlogetse says he has some individuals who buy from him. However, since his hatchery is not that big, his customers are mainly from Serowe for now. Even though he sells to those in his home village, his dream is to expand his hatchery; to go beyond chicken farming; to be able to supply some organisations as well as going beyond borders.

“My plan is to be a great chicken farmer. I want to have my own farm and also to be able to supply the whole of Botswana and even beyond our boarders. This would not just benefit me, as I’ll be creating jobs for the youth. Currently I am still working alone,” he said.

Being a dedicated chicken farmer that he is, he did not quit his job to focus on the chickens, as he believes in working hard for success.

His family gives him all the support he needs as they help take care of his hatchery while he is at work. “Yes I work at the hospital and I work on shifts, so that on its own gives me a chance to look after them well. But my mother is there to help me when necessary,” he explained.

This thirst that he has for success has also proven to be a bumpy road as he has encountered some mishaps, as it is the case in many businesses and organisations.

Running a hatchery has proven to be a task that requires patience and dedication for Mr Kebotlogetse, as his chickens can get sick or killed by both predators as well as being stolen by thieves.

“Poor hatching rate due to infertility and overheating of the incubator due to high temperatures can be a problem too.

Just on the last weeks of the heat wave I lost almost 300 eggs. Embryos died inside the eggs due to overheating of the incubator. That was a great challenge. High feed cost and antibiotics can also be worrisome,” he explained.

“When it comes to diseases, mostly I use antibiotics. Like Newcastle disease has its own vaccine that is used to prevent it. Some are natural disasters which one can not control, such as heat wave,” he continued.

Having such obstacles, one may wonder what this farmer’s back up plan might be. His intention is to venture into small stock as well as dog business.

He further explained that he has observed that dogs can bring in cash just like any other domestic animal.

 He therefore sees it fit to try his luck in this line of work and see where it takes him. “Money is everywhere. Its all about how you think, and whether you implement your ideas or not,” he explained.

He went on to urge other youngsters to refrain from doubting their capabilities, saying he never doubted if farming could work for him.

He discouraged them from giving up after finding out that they would not have made it in education.

 He said life was more than that, saying they should think business wise and do something instead of crying over spilt milk.

 “I would advise young people like me to venture into farming because it is not just farming, it is agri-business, and it is another way of creating employment for oneself as well as for others. These days it is difficult to find jobs, so farming can be a solution,” he concluded. Ends