15 May 2024

The Dairy Goats Association of Botswana has appreciated government’s efforts in supporting their endeavour to grow the sector. 

Giving a vote of thanks at the event to receive a consignment of livestock from Australia, which included 150 dairy goats on May 14, secretary general of the association, Mr Steward Tau applauded government for heeding their plea.

Mr Tau said government bought the dairy goats at a time when their main source of supply, South Africa was curtailed by the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). 

He said at the beginning of the year, dairy goats farmers met with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao pleading for support. 

“I am happy that after pleading with Minister Molao, the government through the guidance of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has heeded our plea at a time when our efforts of getting more dairy goats to increase our stock were bleak. We are hopeful that their numbers will be increased through the use of Artificial Insemination (AI), drawing of semen and embryo fertilisation. We are here to testify what government has done for us,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the association chairperson, Ms Toziba Masalila, a dairy goats farmer at Tatisiding in the North East District, said the sector remained small due to a number of challenges. 

“The majority of the farmers prefer the Saanen breed as it is a highly productive dairy goat compared to other breeds,” said Ms Masalila. She said the last count of the dairy goats revealed that there were not more than 150 goats distributed across more than 60 farmers. 

“We are able to only keep records for farmers who are members of the association. Some farmers with dairy goats are not registered with the association,” she said. 

She said most of the farmers acquired their stock from South Africa. 

However, the trusted channel of dairy goats supply was indefinitely shut down by the FMD, therefore the purchase by government was highly commendable, she said. 

Despite the lack of reputable suppliers, Ms Masalila said the rearing of dairy goats was a viable undertaking. 

She added that the production of milk in the country was low, therefore the sector had prospects of success, as its value chain was undeveloped. 

She said the few local farmers with dairy goats were not selling, as their primary focus was to grow their stock numbers and produce more milk. 

“We are selling as individuals to our local communities and the little that we produce will not be able to secure and sustain the supply of a reputable market,” she said. Ms Masalila said growing and sustaining the sector required  a collective approach, therefore it was important for the available dairy goats farmers to unite, establish a distribution depot and storage where the identified market would collect the milk. 

“If we sell as a unit, the milk will be enough to sustain supply to a reputable super market or industry. A farmer with 10 goats will not produce enough milk and have a consistent supply,” said Ms Masalila. 

She said the consignment of dairy goats was a sign of hope, support and commitment by government to grow milk sector. Ms Masalila said the sector was bound to grow as farmers would buy goats locally and increase milk production. 

“Some of the farmers might venture into production of dairy goats to increase their population,” she said. 

Ms Masalila said the sector had the potential to support other businesses such as production of yoghurt, cheese, and other household products. Chief Animal Scientist, Mr Tshwaragano Kopano said the dairy goats sector was still at its infancy stage with only a handful of farmers rearing dairy goats and producing milk. 

However, he said the farmers were making notable efforts to grow the sector , citing formation of an association as an example. 

He was delighted that the main challenge of exporting goats, which has been a hindrance for the local farmers, was finally addressed. 

Mr Kopano noted that compared to cattle, goats were easy to manage and therefore the sector was one of those that would empower women to venture into agriculture-related businesses. Ends