01 Jul 2024

Botswana remains committed to becoming a destination of choice for genetic material.

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said this at the eighth Voorslaag Boteti Agriculture and Mining Expo in Letlhakane recently.

Mr Tsogwane said government had myriad programmes that had been rolled out to Batswana and continued to introduce initiatives aiming to promote local farmers. He therefore encouraged farmers to upgrade production

“The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has been at the forefront in ensuring that the agricultural sector is revived at least to its post-independence days, if not better, given technological advancement. The sector contributed 40 per cent at independence and currently stands at two per cent, hence the need to continue to grow the sector, creating new and better jobs, widening products base that would lead to emergence of new industries through value chain development strategy under the Reset Agenda,” he said.

He added that government had last year, received 162 cattle from Texas to help improve climate resilience and productivity of local breeds, with 95 heifers last in May and a further 150 dairy goats from Australia to improve Botswana’s herd count and genetic stock, so that Batswana could access products for breed improvement at the least cost or affordable prices.

He indicated that a straw of locally produced semen was sold at P35 and at P500 minimum for imported bulls compared to P25 000, which was the average price that one could pay for a stud.

He further said President Masisi continued to donate bulls, goats and other animals to ensure that Batswana were ready to play an active role in the export market opportunities.

“To that extent I’m happy to share that smallstock abattoirs are on schedule,” he said.

He said government had also replicated Lobu smallstock centre at Setata stock farm.

Mr Tsogwane said due to the substantial investments that government had made in the agricultural space and true to its commitments, had extended the import restrictions of selected commodities in the horticultural space to December 31, 2025.

The imports ban, he said were not designed to stifle businesses but a call to the business community to support farmers with funding, technology and a platform to serve them efficiently.

“Let me further bring to your attention that the export for these horticultural commodities was vast, there was money to improve the livelihoods,” he said.

Mr Tsogwane indicated that initiatives such as Chema Chema, Temo Letlotlo and Thuo Letlotlo were readily available for immediate uptake.

He commended all sponsors for their support and urged them to remain steadfast.

“For government to win against unemployment, it is crucial to promote economic diversification and greater inclusion, hence the need for all stakeholders be on board,” the Vice President said. Ends