14 May 2024

The arrival of 150 breeding dairy goats and 92 beef cattle procured from Australia will change livestock breeding in Botswana.

A systematic approach was deployed, to address the needs of local farmers and market demands.

Receiving the animals at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport May 14, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said a team of experts, upon careful consideration and engagement of the farming community, embarked on scouting missions across the world to identify areas and breeds performing best in our similar climatic conditions."

“It is on this basis that this time, Australia became the best candidate."

He said Australia climate especially Queensland and Albany were characterised as sub-tropical climate with hot summers and mild to cold winters just like Botswana.

President Masisi said Australia prided itself as home of the Droughtmaster breed, one of the best suited breeds for Botswana conditions.

Similarly, he said the dairy goat breeds procured were known to be best adapted to local conditions.

“This is a true testament that indeed government is not on a buying spree, but cognizant of the needs of the farmers while taking into account adaptation issues for sustainability of the breeding stock, said President Masisi.

He added that procurement of dairy goats was a sign of government’s commitment towards improving all livestock breeds and not just focusing on beef cattle.

“I want to assure Batswana that investing in agriculture is the most sustainable way of improving the lives of Batswana. All the genetically superior animals and germplasm are here to benefit you first and foremost,” he said.

As such, the President noted that the procured dairy goats were renowned for their long lactating and high milk yield coupled with their calm nature.

“It is my belief that the 150 dairy goats imported to Botswana will contribute significantly towards milk production in the country,” he said.

President Masisi indicated that government would continue to invest in provision of superior germplasm across livestock commodities.

“Soon we will be procuring dairy cattle from as far as Brazil, to resuscitate the dairy industry,” he said, noting that plans to transform Ramatlabama National Artificial Insemination Laboratory and Training Centre into an Export Facility and Centre of Excellence for Animal Genetic Resources were progressing well.

To date, President Masisi said, works were underway including refurbishment of all infrastructure, to accommodate modern Artificial Insemination (AI) and Embryo Transfer (ET) equipment.

“I am pleased to indicate that the long awaited state-of-the-art AI and ET equipment procured from Germany has arrived to facilitate semen and embryo production,” said Dr Masisi. Ends