Sandveld Ranchers Association HOSTS 2023 FIELD DAY
The Ranchers Association (SRA) hosted cattle farmers for another field day that was held at Mr Kitso Ramahobo’s Gambee Cattle Ranch last weekend under the theme, ‘Sustainable Livestock Farming Economic and Environmental Challenges’.
The annual event provides a platform and opportunity for all value chain players in the livestock sector to share experiences and ideas towards development of the sector. It also offers investors and stakeholders an opportunity to showcase their products and technologies that could improve efficiency of livestock production. This includes, but is not limited to fodder, forage and feed production to the end user.
When speaking at the event, the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Member of Parliament for Moshupa/Manyana, Honourable Karabo S. Gare said government through his Ministry had realised that there is untapped gap in the market with lots of products sold as raw materials.
“If we start processing our products that will create value chain, hence employment creation,” he noted.
Gare revealed that the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) had developed a fouryear strategy and strategic performance plan, to achieve both profitability and sustainability by year 2025 mainly through addressing internal inefficiencies, reducing cost burden, sector/value-chain collaborations, reduced dependence on government subventions, and enhanced customer relations to re-attract its market share.
The strategy has been under implementation since January 2022, and it is hoped that once the export of live cattle comes to an end next year, there will be enough livestock for slaughter and BMC will bounce back to profitability.
The Minister further revealed that BMC has started production of Ecco beef instead of selling chunk of beef while the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) has commenced the construction of the Leather Park in Lobatse, to start leather processing.
The project reportedly aims to facilitate the processing of hides and skins into finished leather and stimulate the development of leather products manufacturing in Botswana. Local and international investors are targeted to set up tanning and leather manufacturing in the Leather Park which is expected to be completed by early 2025.
With the cattle herd in the country slowly declining, the Minister called for means of increasing it. “His Excellency the President Dr. Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi has been donating bulls nationally to improve the quality as well as increasing the national herd,” Gare stated.
He further suggested finding ways of doing Artificial Insemination (AI) which is a quicker way of breeding, despite lack of facilities and urged the cattle ranchers to produce quality meat which the BMC requires for the Norwe
Minister of Agriculture - Hon. Fedelis Molao gian market as well as other new markets.
“BMC recently increased prices according to the grades and this is a welcome development. They have further reduced the payment period to seven working days and this is also a rightful move for farmers,” he said.
Farmers also reportedly need to be trained in how to use vaccines, care for animals, record keeping, care for the environment to further improve their skills and take farming from subsistence to commercial level.
“As farmers we should teach each other through benchmarking. We are weak as individuals, but united we are strong hence our tagline/motto ‘moroto wa e esi ga o ele’. The principles alluded to are central to a Motswana’s traditional value system, which some of us have lost and as a result roaming in the dark,” he said.
While Botswana continues to be known for its high quality grass-fed beef in the international market space, which sustains the European Union (EU), Norway and other envisaged markets, Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Fidelis Molao said to sustain these markets, the country has to work hard in increasing the national herd. Molao added that at the same time, the country needs to manage the environmental challenges that come with the effects of climate change and human activities.
“The Ministry is currently facilitating the improvement of roads in the Sandveld area, linking B111 (Molepolole/Serowe major road) with Sandveld. This road leads to Sandveld beef production cluster at an estimated value of P120 million as per the Transitional National Development Plan.
The road plays a role in connecting Sandveld ranches and market places such as BMC, butcheries and other local businesses. Improved roads will enhance the beef sector value chain from fodder producers, farmers, transporters, processors and manufacturers, thus improving all stakeholders’ livelihoods and further contribute towards the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product),” Molao revealed.
In order to liberalise the beef industry, Molao stated that his Ministry is in the process of establishing the Meat Industry Regulatory Authority (MIRA) which is aimed at promoting the interests of the livestock and meat industry in Botswana and internationally, promoting a vibrant, profitable, sustainable and competitive industry, accelerating innovation, research and strengthen stakeholder relations across the value chain so that the Botswana Meat and livestock industry can improve competitiveness to attract foreign direct investment.
The MIRA will further create a conducive business environment in the beef sub sector through regulating or enforcing standards and regulations, as well as protecting the interests of all farmers and consumers with the key functions such as Research and Development, Marketing and Traceability System Management. It is also expected that the MIRA will remove monopoly and open up the beef market.