08 Aug 2024

Five farmers from five constituencies, namely Shashe West, Tonota, Francistown East, Francistown West, and Francistown South, were beaming with joy yesterday as His Excellency President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi gifted them with pedigree bulls.

The quintet, four of whom are women, are Ms Otlaarongwa Reetsang, Ms Gofaone Moalosi, Mr Samuel Manatha, Ms Banji Moremi, and Ms Julia Tanyala.

The latest bull donation drive, which was held in Mathangwane, brings to over 100 bulls donated under the President’s initiative since inception.

Speaking during an occasion to handover  the five stud animals, President Masisi told the gathering that besides the intent to increase the national herd, which had dwindled over the years, and improve the quality of the cattle, the donation was intended to revive the spirit of giving, which was fast-dissipating amongst Batswana.

He said as the Champion of the National Vision (2036), which espoused prosperity for all, he was duty-bound to lead by example and inculcate benevolence among the people he led.

“It is a first for our country for an individual to traverse this course, and one can only hope this inspires every Motswana to contribute towards national prosperity,” he said.

For his part, Commissioner General of the National Planning Commission, Mr Christopher Molomo, praised President Masisi’s efforts, saying they were in line with the national vision, especially the notion of attaining prosperity for all.

He said the Nation Vision 2036 had identified the agricultural sector as a vital engine of growth that could help Batswana take a giant leap to achieve prosperity for all.

“We have identified unemployment and poverty as amongst the challenges bedevilling our society and are thus convinced that agriculture can help us address such shortcomings,” he said.

Minister of Agriculture and area MP, Honourable Fidelis Molao also commended Dr Masisi for his outstanding commitment to turn around the livelihoods of Batswana.

He reminded those who attended the event that President Masisi’s bull donation was preceded by another initiative, where he donated bucks and rams in the area.

Minister Molao divulged that the government had, as per its promise, opened another artificial insemination centre at the Impala Agricultural Demonstration Centre to scale up production in the northern part of the country.

He thus urged budding and established farmers alike to enroll at the centre, whose fee was currently subsidised to be P500 for an 18-day course.

The Impala centre, according to Minister Molao, was opened to the public on Monday with 20 farmers enrolling for an artificial insemination course. The intention is to place additional 12 learners.

Francistown West Member of Parliament, Mr Ignatius Moswaane, was all lyrical for the presidential initiative, which he relayed was in synch with the old Setswana ways of helping the less privileged.

“A Modimo a go segofatse gongwe le gongwe kwa o yang teng. Ga o a etelela lefatshe le pele ka phoso,” he said, heaping praise upon Dr Masisi’s goodwill gesture.

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Ms Reetsang, 72, of Matlakala cattle post near Matsitama, promised to take care of the stud Simmental bull and make sure it brought about desired results.

The clearly happy Ms Reetsang also commended President Masisi for the initiative, which she said was abound with good intentions.

She challenged fellow beneficiaries to take care of their animals so that they could, in the future, emulate the good deeds of the State President. BOPA