08 Apr 2024

The inaugural Ngamiland Field Farmers Day has been hailed as a success.

Speaking at the event at Mowana Twin farm near Nokaneng, Saturday, Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao said the event, the first of its kind in the Ngamiland region started on a good note measured by the agricultural exhibits showcased.

He, therefore, urged organisers to ensure continuity of this historical event.

He told farmers in the Ngamiland region that they had a lot to do in livestock management since the area was prone to challenges such as animal diseases.

The minister implored them to be proactive in herding their livestock to easily monitor disease outbreaks such as the current bont tick infestation.

Mr Molao said Ngamiland had a high cattle population of over 200 000 good breeding species hence it was imperative to protect them.

He appreciated farmers for embracing the use of quarantine in their district at Kgomokgwana near Samochima and the Artificial Insemination at Nokaneng.

He said the Ministry would take heed and erect an electric fence at the Nokaneng Artificial Insemination centre since it was costly to maintain the current one from elephant destruction.

He urged farmers to adhere to Foot and Mouth Disease vaccination, adding, that the Ministry attained only 71 per cent FMD vaccine compliance the previous year which was unsatisfactory.

The Minister encouraged farmers to do proper record keeping of their livestock management to provide correct information on their livestock, vaccination and meat quality.

Ngamiland Field Farmers Day was organized by the North West Integrated Farmers Association (NWIFA) on behalf of other associations in the Ngamiland region. It was supported by Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) as the main sponsor and other stakeholders under the theme: Mindset Change in farming: value chain development for food security in Ngamiland.ENDS