Export of small stock to Saudi Arabian market: What's in it for the small farmer?

Government this week reiterated its efforts to have Botswana as an exporter of small stock products to the Saudi Arabian market. President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi was the first one to announce the initiative last year.

This week, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Karabo Gare told parliament that the export of small stock to the Saudi Arabian market will stimulate rearing of small stock for commercial purposes in Botswana.

Gare said amongst other local opportunities will be unlocking of value chain in the keeping, handling, and general management of small stock for sustainable job opportunities in the country. It opens, he said, opportunities for production and sale of livestock feed, local transportation businesses and livestock medical care for small stock.

This being a good initiative for the country we hope that government will fast- track its efforts, so that Batswana will benefit from the Saudi Arabian market. According to the minister the agreement between Botswana and Saudi Arabia with regards to the export of small stock meat from Botswana has not yet been signed. However, preparations for the initiative have commenced and the necessary paperwork has been initiated. The terms of the agreement, once it is entered into force, include tariff reductions and preferential market access of small stock meat and meat bi- products from Botswana.

The agreement also removes tariff and non- tariff barriers to trade, which will increase the competitiveness of our small stock meat for transmission of value to local farmers.

The interest by government in growing the small stock sector is encouraging for many farmers who cannot afford to rear cattle.

For many years government’s attention was on cattle production, but not many people can afford to rear cattle, as beef production is more expensive.

We however hope that government will address the many challenges that are faced by many upcoming farmers; otherwise the Saudi Arabian market will only benefit a few well- settled farmers. As things stand the European Union beef market is only benefiting a few cattle barons while many farmers who rear their cattle in free grazing areas are only getting the crumbs.

Government is still struggling to get a reliable market for the Ngamiland farmers. Although interested in farming many people still don’t own any piece of land in their names. Government should provide land to Batswana in order for them to engage in farming, especially smallstock farming. Access to land has become a nightmare for an average Motswana, and the few who manage to get land, end up selling this land to rich foreigners as there is not enough support from government to help Batswana go into profitable agriculture.

Funding institutions have made it difficult for an average Motswana to access funds with their policies of not funding projects 100 percent. It is a nightmare for a Motswana to source money to fund a start- up agribusiness project. Government should work on these challenges as we move towards becoming a “land of small stock”. We should avoid repeating the same mistakes that were made with beef production.