Gov’t focuses on liberalising beef industry
Government is in the process of establishing the Meat Industry Regulatory Authority ( MIRA) to liberalise the beef industry and promote competitiveness of the sector.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi said the Authority would allow for full participation of all key value chain players in the running of the beef industry, and the development of the necessary linkages that will have the net effect of giving the farmer ‘ a voice.’
According to Masisi, all these efforts are a living testimony of the unwavering commitment of the Government of the day, to support the beef industry, and remain steadfast to continue developing this industry and associated value chains with a view to unlocking more opportunities in the sector.
The President who was speaking at the Sandveldt Ranchers Field Day urged the farmers to utilise the existing platforms to forge ahead and increase livestock production which remains the critical part of the support structure of Batswana and their livelihoods.
“Our valued Farmers, your involvement in the livestock sub- sector contributes significantly to the socio- economic development of this country as a source of food, employment and income, particularly in the rural communities. The beef sector also remains the backbone of the livestock sub- sector and with its supply of raw materials and by- products, contributes immensely to the value chain in the related sectors and downstream industries. However, the growth of the livestock sub- sector is continuously threatened by disease outbreaks, predators and frequent droughts due to the effects of climate change,” he said.
Masisi told the attendants that Botswana is renowned for its high quality grass- fed beef in the international market space and urged the farmers to continue to produce the best beef in the world. “It is worth mentioning that we have been able to sustain the European Union ( EU) and Norway markets because of our stringent disease control measures and good animal traceability system that follows the animal from farm to fork,” said the president.
He revealed that this has been made possible by the Government’s investment in the Botswana Animal Identification and Trace Back System ( BAITS) and the commitment to compliance by none other than the farmers. He recently said this system has been extended to the small stock sub- sector to facilitate trade and exports. He indicated that currently, Botswana’s cattle population stands at 2.1 million but these numbers continue to decline due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, poor livestock husbandry management practices which, in turn, lead to low productivity. Masisi stated that this is a worrisome trend which he believes needs urgent intervention from all players in the beef industry. He said Government has been responding to these challenges in a number of ways in an effort to increase the national herd with improvements in both quality and quantity. “In recent times, the Government has adopted a Beef Cluster Strategy which has identified areas of improvement that include: ways of upgrading production, research and technology transfer, as well as the promotion and marketing of beef. The strategy aims at unlocking the value chain linkages and promoting market access. It is my firm belief that you are better placed here in the Sandveldt to promote grass- fed beef exports to the much soughtafter sophisticated niche markets. In order to demonstrate the well- intended interventions of my Government, just yesterday ( 29th April), I launched the National Bull Initiative in Mahalapye West, Mahalapye East and Shoshong Constituencies. Taking a cue from the Initiative I started under smallstock farming, the aim is to extend a donation of one bull of quality breed covering each of the 57 Constituencies.”
Masisi said over the years, the Government has continued to cushion farmers against adverse effects of drought through subsidies. Between 2019/ 20 and 2021/ 22 the beneficiaries of the subsidies were over 226 760 comprising 160 387 male, 66 373 female while 49 165 were in the youth bracket, he said adding that with the affordability and accessibility of livestock feeds, drought related mortalities were significantly reduced.
He explained that as of October 2020, the Government took a decision to allow for export of live cattle, offering farmers an alternative market for their cattle and a major relief to the grazing pressure on the rangelands.
Our valued Farmers, your involvement in the livestock subsector contributes significantly to the socio- economic development of this country as a source of food, employment and income, particularly in the rural communities.