By Cynthia
Livestock sector has been a major livelihood for Batswana and a major contributor to the agriculture GDP.
“Currently Agriculture contribution to GDP is averaging around 3% of which 80% comes from livestock subsector more especially beef sector”, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Molebatsi Molebatsi noted.
He was addressing the public on the Breeding for Economic Growth and Sustainability Seminar on the 13th May 2023, at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN).
This comes after a successful Mmabothubela Farmer’s Day on the 6th May with the theme “Putting an emphasis on breeding to revitalise the multi-sector economy – Excellent breed, Excellent Economy.”
The beef cattle population has been declining over the years from three (3) million cattle in 1979 to 1.7 million recorded in 2015 while goat population has been fluctuating between 1.3 million and 1.7 million. Sheep population has been stagnant and offtake rates for both cattle and small-stock have been very poor over the years.
Molebatsi said the ministry has come up with some interventions in order to transform the livestock sector (cattle and small-stock) such as upgrading the National Artificial Insemination laboratory ( NAIL) into a Centre of Excellence for animal genetics, adopting the use of modern technologies in livestock breeding by the use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies such as Artificial Insemination (AI) both on farm and static farms and Embryo Transfer, oestrus synchronisation, and use of pregnancy test kits.
The ministry has therefore noticed parliament through a bill for the Establishment of Meat Regulatory Authority (MIRA). This will allow for full participation of all key value chain players in the running of the beef industry.
In her opening remarks, First Capital Bank CEO, Reinette van der Merwe said as a bank they recognise the critical role that agriculture plays in the economy of Botswana, and that they are committed to supporting the growth and development of this sector. Their dedication is highlighted by the P180, 000 invested towards making Mmabothubela Farmer’s Day a reality.
“Argentina’s natural conditions including climate and geography are similar or identical to those of Botswana. Therefore, I am here to share our work to improve and grow the beef industry,” said Dr. Julieta Fernandez Madero, Senior Consultant & Meat Production Specialist when making her presentation on Breeding Strategies for Improving Meat Quality in Cattle.
She mentioned that 20 years ago livestock in the North of Argentina was alike as the 80% of Botswana livestock today. In 20 years, their breeding was increased by cross-breeding.
Production can be boosted by creating a genetic base in all livestock and cross-breeding with adaptive breeds and the quality of feed given to livestock. She said it is important to put systems in place and moving to more technological base of farming.
International agri-economist Ernest Janovsky talked about making money via livestock. Farmers don’t control the market price, what they control is how much they produce. Therefore, farmers need to use technology to their advantage by farming more with less, especially factors that can be controlled using artificial insemination.
