Botswana's karakul renaissance - Ministry of Agriculture

Volume 40, No. 05 May 2010
“We Can not Feed the Nation from
Idle Land” -President Khama tells
Agricultural Pitso
Botswana’s karakul
renaissance
BUFFER ZONE,
DOUBLE CORDON FENCE
A LONG TERM STRATEGY TO CONTROL FMD
May 2010

c o n t e n t s
A G R I N E W S May
Merafhe said that the government
has recently approved an economic
diversification drive initiative which
is intended to utilize Botswana’s purchasing
power to give impetus to the
production of locally manufactured
goods and services.
2 0 1 0
2
Editorial
Botswana Small Medium And Micro Enterprise Good For Diversification
Buffer Zone, Double Cordon Fence A Long Term Strategy To Control FMD
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5
“We can not feed the nation
from idle land therefore we
have to invest in agriculture and
manage the farming businesses
to maximise profits,” President
Khama said
Boteti Sub District Free From Foot And Mouth Disease
4
“We Can not Feed the Nation from Idle Land” -President Khama
tells Agricultural Pitso
Farmer Service Centres To Operate As Retail
Botswana’s karakul renaissance
5
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Karakul is the skin of newborn
or even unborn lambs, prized for
its softness and silk-like texture.
The newborn are slaughtered
immediately after birth because
their silky pelt would fetch a
high price on the export market.
7
Kweneng Farmers Demonstrate The Benefits Of Improved Technologies
Maun Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) abattoir opens in July
Horticulture projects in Boteti show potential
Agricultural Demonstrator Shines In Hatsalatladi
Livestock And Meat Industries Act Protects All Parties
Dibete Ostrich Multiplication Unit A Viable Project
Botswana College Of Agriculture To Turn Into A University
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Dr. Moreki says government
also provides funds to young
farmers to set up businesses
including ostrich farming
through Young Farmers Fund
(YFF).
Dr. Segale said in an interview
that the current livestock
census in Ngamiland is 370
000 cattle, noting that the
annual off-take of 10-20%
will maintain the abattoir.
14
Managing Editor: Epena Ngatangue
Editor: Kediretswe Pule
Reporters: Felix Mothatego and
France Begensel
Typesetter: Mokgarebe Motswakhumo
Art Director: Keabetswe Molebatsi
Designers: Abadilwe Ralihika
Photographers: Henry Toto, Pius Nkunda & Mothusi Tlale
Address your letters to:
AGRINEWS
Letters to the Editor
P/Bag 003 Gaborone
Tel: 3689135
Fax:3906769
MoA website: www.moa.gov.bw

editor’s note
VIVA MOA – ZONE 4A IS FINALLY FMD FREE
Finally residents of Boteti Sub
District, specifically Zone 4A,
can sigh with relief after the
World Organization for Animal
Health (OIE) has recognized
the area a Foot and Mouth
Disease (FMD) free without
vaccination.
Zone 4A is between
Mokobaxane
and
Makalamabedi veterinary
disease control fences in Boteti.
After almost 22 year-spell,
people of Boteti living in
uncertainty about the future
of the beef industry, they can
now hope for the better. The
first hurdle has been cleared,
now what remains is access to
the European Union lucrative
market. Areas designated FMDfree
without vaccination have
the greatest access to export
markets so it is imperative for
people in Boteti to work hard
to maintain their FMD-free
without vaccination status.
Residents of Boteti should
jealously guard against the
introduction of vaccinated
or exposed cattle from
neighbouring districts such as
Nata and Ngamiland
The government and indeed
farmers themselves fought
hard for the area to become
what it is now, so we cannot
afford to loose the status as
the expansion of the FMD free
zone would open up more
markets for our animals and
animal products.
Farmers should obey all
veterinary protocols and report
any sicknesses detected before
it is too late. They should be
vigilant and ensure that their
animals are branded with
zonal brands and inserted with
BOLUS.
Routine vaccination procedures
should be followed such as for
anthrax and botulism.
Although the government
intends to undertake some
measures to ensure that the
area maintains the status, it is
through the help from farmers
and the general public that
such measures could be fruitful.
The Ministry of Agriculture
intends to assist the Ministry
of Environment, Wildlife and
Tourism with the maintenance
and patrol of the Makgadikgadi
wildlife fence, upgrade the
P h e f h o d i a f h o k a - S h o r o b e
cordon fence that separates
Boteti from Ngamiland to a
2.4m high game proof fence and
intensive active surveillance
within a 10km radius along
the Phefhodiafhoka-Shorobe
Cordon fence and the Boteti
river among others
Agrinews congratulates farmers
and indeed the general public
as well as the Department
of Veterinary Services for
contributing to the achievement.
Bravo

BOTSWANA SMALL MEDIUM
AND MICRO ENTERPRISE GOOD
FOR DIVERSIFICATION
VP Mompati Merafhe
Article: Theresa Mokgwathi
Photos: Tshepiso Baipidile
The Vice President Mompati Merafhe
says the growth and prosperity of the
Small Medium and Micro Enterprise
(SMME) sector is becoming a milestone
in economic diversification and
sustainability in the face of mounting
global economic challenges.
Officially opening the SMME Conference
and Fair in Gaborone recently, Vice
President Merafhe said the need to
diversify the country’s economy became
clear with the occurrence of the recent
global economic downturn and the
resultant changes in the world markets.
“It is no doubt that the SMME’s with
their relatively low start-up costs and
comparatively high aptitude for diverse
economic activity, can contribute
immensely to the growth of the economy.
We as government therefore view
SMMEs as the key contributors to the
transformation of Botswana’s economy”
said Merafhe.
He however pointed out that the
development of entrepreneurs and
enterprises has faced challenges of
accessing land, finance and markets. He
also said that it is evident that SMMEs
also lack market intelligence and suffer
from capacity constraints.
Merafhe said the entrepreneur being
the basic resource for SMME sector
development, has also succumbed to
dependency as opposed to self reliance,
noting that the kind of mindset has as
a result undermined the capacity of
the entrepreneur to be innovative and
enterprising.
The Vice President was pleased with
that in the midst of the occurrence and
impact of these impediments, the Local
Enterprise Authority (LEA) has established
programmes and projects which offer
solution oriented services targeting
both SMME’s and buyers. Merafhe
commended LEA’s efforts for bringing yet
another conference and fair, to highlight
the profile of SMMEs in their quest for
increased local market share.
He said that the conference and fair
offers Botswana’s SMMEs an opportunity
to showcase their products and service to
the local procurement fraternity. He went
on to say that the 2010 conference and
fair is specifically aimed at improving
SMME access to local markets by
bringing together the various consumers
that constitute the local procurement
base within the public, private and
SMMEs sector.
He said that conference also offers
the Botswana’s SMMEs an opportunity
to interact with members of the small
business community from various
countries in the SADC region. An
opportunity to also interact with the
entire SMME development stakeholder
network made up of financiers, enterprise
support institutions, entrepreneurship
development organizations as well
as the general public.
Merafhe said SMMEs
contribute about 32% of
employment in Botswana,
both in the formal and
informal sector, that
it is vital government
continues to support
SMMEs to access the
entire local procurement
base.
He told the entrepreneurs
that the position that the
government has taken is not
a unique one in the sense that
various governments have utilized
public sector procurement to promote
SMMEs’ access to local markets. He
said in South Africa and United States
of America focused their public sector
procurement programme on minority
and women owned businesses. Also in
South Africa public sector procurement
is being utilized as a vehicle to achieve
specific socio economic objectives
such as the promotion of targeted small
and medium enterprises, enhanced
job creation opportunities, skills and
technology transfer.
He further said that Botswana is doing
likewise, as they have put in place
preference schemes such as the Local
Procurement Programme (LPP) to support
local industries through public sector
procurement. He on that note said that of
late the programme has been extended
to cover procurement of decorations,
Landscaping, Arts and Crafts produced
by citizens.
Merafhe said that the government
has recently approved an economic
diversification drive initiative which is
intended to utilize Botswana’s purchasing
power to give impetus to the production
of locally manufactured goods and
services, adding that through the initiative
the government is committed to enhance
local production as well as reducing its
huge import bill.
Merafhe said that the private sector is also
of great importance in the growth of the
SMME sector, as it provides a responsive
market base that can contribute to the
establishment, survival and prosperity of
SMMEs, through its diversity, distribution
and agility. In addition the private sector
offers development opportunities to
SMME suppliers through more strategic
procurement arrangements than those
available in the public sector.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry through
LEA has pursued a ‘procurement with
capacity building’ initiative named MTI
kick start, where members of the private
sector may adopt or link with an SMME
for supply and development purposes.
Further more Merafhe guaranteed that
the private sector has taken heed of this
call and confident that such linkages will
increase and SMMEs will become more
competitive.
Merafhe encouraged the private sector
to view this initiative as an opportunity
worth pursuing as it can result in
progressively efficient and profitable
business operations. He also urged all
SMMEs, as the primary beneficiaries
of the initiative, to open up to positive
change so that they can develop to
become stellar enterprises worthy of
admiration in their respective industries.

He said that growing SMMEs and
ensuring that they are viable in the long
term is one of the government’s key
leverage points in its move to eradicate
poverty. Further more he said government
has identified poverty eradication and
economic diversification as its flagship
programmes and his office is charged
with the responsibility of driving their
implementation.
He called upon all stakeholders to
recognize the importance of continuity
and collaborative action following
initiatives which have the potential to
support the SMMEs.
Present at the fair were some
entrepreneurs who deal in agricultural
products. Small businesses such as Mocks
Apiaries Investment and CJKK (PTY) LTD.
Mocks Apiaries Investment sells honey
and products made from honey, they are
currently operating in Jwaneng.
Serefete Ramantsima of Mocks Apiaries
Investment said that their products are
not yet in the market but very soon they
will be providing local retail stores with
their products.
Choma Matale founder of CJKK (PTY)
LTD said that his small business of making
drinks from melon is currently operating
from his home in Gabane. Matale said
that he wants people to recognize melon
for its different uses.
He further said he buys melon from
local producers’ country wide. Matale
mentioned that LEA has been very
supportive in assisting him with his small
business
BUFFER ZONE, DOUBLE CORDON FENCE
A LONG TERM STRATEGY TO CONTROL FMD
Article: Kediretswe Pule
Photos: Pius Nkunda
For tourists a buffalo is an important
animal that could form part of a wildlife
destination area one could dream of
visiting, but for Ngamiland residents a
buffalo is a carrier of a virus that causes
Foot and Mouth disease (FMD). The
residents would want them to be buffered
off or removed completely from the
Ngamiland area to prevent them from
mingling with cattle. Because buffaloes
are carriers of FMD the residents are
worried that from time to time they mix
with their animals and spread the FMD
viruses.
Whether construction of a buffer-zone
and double cordon fence is enough to
save the situation or not, is yet to be seen.
But for now, government has decided
to construct a buffer Zone between
Ngamiland and Ghanzi district to prevent
cattle from both site from mixing. The
major part of this FMD free zone (Ghanzi
District) export meat to lucrative Eupean
Union (EU) market. If these areas are not
safed from the spread of FMD disease
the country would lose this market. In
addition a double cordon fence will
be built between the Okavango Delta
wet-lands that harbour buffalos and
Ngamiland to bar buffalos from mixing
with cattle in the area.
On that note government has decided
to move people away from Kuke fence
where the buffer zone will be constructed.
About 4 farmer syndicates and 2 ranches
in Ngamiland and 4 ranches on the
Ghanzi district side will be moved to
pave way for the construction buffer zone.
A 2.4 metres Game proof fence will be
constructed that covers a radius of 16 km
length. The dimensions shows that the
buffer zone will take 8 km radius from
Ghanzi areas and 8 km from Ngamiland
sides to form the 16 Km buffer zone.
The buffer zone will stretch from the
interjection of the Botwana/Namibia
border on the West to Phefodiafoka. The
buffer zone wil cost up to P16Million.
As for the buffalo fences 2 fences of 1.4
metres will be erected 10 killometres
apart to fence off the buffalo fence from
Ngamiland district and restrict them
in the Okavango delta wetlands. The
buffalo fence will cover 300km in length
by the time of writing the report a 196 Km
of construction of the fences was covered.
The buffalo fence costs will go up to P40
Million.
To reinforce the control measures, an
amount totaling P22 million will be
used annually to perform vaccination
campaigns in Ngamiland. Three
vaccination campaigns will be performed
three times annually instead of twice as
it was previously to increase efficiency of
the exercise

Boteti Sub District farmers
BOTETI SUB DISTRICT FREE FROM
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Article & Photos: Epena Ngatangue
It was all ululation and merriment at a series
of Kgotla meetings in the Boteti Sub District
when the Minister of Agriculture Christiaan De
Graaff announced that the area (zone 4A) has
been approved as a Foot and Mouth Disease
(FMD) free without vaccination.
“Today I am here to announce to you that zone
4A has been approved as an FMD free without
vaccination zone; meaning that cattle and
other cloven hoofed animals in this area are
now of the same FMD status as those in the
‘green zone’, announced Minister De Graaff to
a rapturous uproar from the crowd in Mopipi
village.
Minister De Graaff addressed Kgotla meetings
in Mopipi, Xumo, Rakops and Kumaga.
The Minister congratulated farmers and the
Department of Veterinary Services as well as
the general public for the their contribution
towards the achievement while warning that
maintaining the FMD free status will present
many challenges especially given the FMD
situation in neighbouring Ngamiland.
De Graaff said the challenges would require
serious commitment and vigilance otherwise
the disease will be re-introduced into the
district.
“Therefore I wish to urge and encourage
all of you to jealously guard against the
introduction of vaccinated or exposed cattle
from neighbouring districts such as Nata and
Ngamiland as this might contribute to the
introduction of FMD in this area,” he warned.
Minister De Graaff said as part of a long term
strategy to maintain the FMD free status of
Zone 4A the ministry will assist the Ministry
of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism with the
maintenance and patrol of the Makgadikgadi
wildlife fence and upgrade the Phefodiafhoka-
Shorobe cordon fence that separates Boteti
from Ngamiland to a 2.4m high game proof
fence.
The ministry will also intensify active
surveillance for foot and mouth disease within
a 10km radius along the Phefodiafhoka-
Shorobe Cordon Fence and Boteti River – that
is create a surveillance zone. All crushes
that fall within the surveillance zone will be
monitored regularly.
Minister De Graaff said the 10km surveillance
zone and the flowing Boteti River have been
identified as FMD high-risk areas because of
their proximity to Ngamiland and the Park.
The intensified surveillance will increase the
chances of detecting FMD early, he said.
“We shall also explore the possibility of
creating a livestock free buffer zone between
Ngamiland and Zone 4A,” he said.
Minister De Graaff further said the declaration
of Zone 4A as an FMD free zone has opened
opportunities for beef from this area to access
the European Union and other lucrative
international markets. Farmers will also be
able to take their livestock to other FMD free
zones in the country.
“Therefore, we are negotiating with our
international trading partners for them to take
beef products from this zone,” he said.
The Minister further said the current
movement controls would remain in place
until negotiations have been concluded.
For their part residents commended the
ministry for making their area FMD free
and appealed to the ministry to expedited
negotiations with the European market. They
promised the minister that they will do
everything to maintain the FMD free status of
their areas and called for vigorous monitoring
of zonal brands.
On other issues residents complained about
the late distribution of seeds as well as
shortage of tractors and vaccines in Livestock
Advisory Centers (LAC). They also complained
about irregular insertion of BOLUS.
In Rakops one farmer said since their area has
been saved from FMD, it is for them now to
teach other farmers in FMD prone areas on
how to successfully fight the disease.
When responding to some of the complaints,
Minister De Graaff warned tractor owners
who overcharge farmers that they will be
pushing them out of the market because
they will be blacklisted in future. He said the
prices for ploughing and planting have been
well thought and researched as such found
appropriate.
Minister of Agriculture Christiaan De Graaff
holding OIE certificate
On shortage of vaccines at LACs, the minister
said after encountering some hiccups, the
Ministry has decided to buy vaccines directly
from manufacturers a thing he said would
improve vaccine distribution.
On BOLUS, he said things have been
normalized after a company to supply and
maintain the system has been hired.
Minister De Graaff further said LIMID has been
reviewed and those elements, which have been
found to be rewarding, have been maintained.
On ISPAAD he said the programme would now
cover horticulture.
All in all it remains to be seen whether the
ululation and merriment, which met Minister
De Graaff, would translate to the sustainance of
the green zone for the betterment of livelihood
in that area.
When saying a vote of thanks in all the meetings,
the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr
Slumber Tsogwane congratulated the Minister
for a job well done and encouraged him to do
what he thinks is best for the country without
fear or favour.
He said politicians will say negative thinks
about him personally but that should not deter
him from performing to the fulliest
May 2010

“We Can not Feed the Nation from
Idle Land” -President Khama tells
Agricultural Pitso
The President Sertetse Khama Ian Khama says
he is disturbed by the amount of agricultural
land which is lying uncultivated yet the
country imports over 60% of most agricultural
products.
been controlled if more effort was exerted. He
said that due to this Government is committed
to assist only those farmers who have shown
commitment in managing their fields.
Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo
Speaking at the forum the Assistant Minister
Oreeditse Molebatsi said in any endeavour
they embark on Batswana should adopt the
motto of “agriculture first,” noting that one
hectare of arable land could turn into a viable
agricultural business.
President Seretse Khama Ian Khama (L) and Moeng Pheto
“We can not feed the nation from idle land
therefore we have to invest in agriculture and
manage the farming businesses to maximise
profits,” he said.
Officially opening the Ministry of Agriculture
Consultative forum {Pitso} , President
Khama said his government has identified
the agricultural sector as the main driver of
poverty eradication , noting that the sector be
supported to ensure people have enough food
and even export surplus.
The theme for the Pitso was “Rethinking
Agricultural Development: Focusing on
Breakthrough Areas.”
President Khama said the theme was
appropriate as it comes at a time when the
government want to revive the agricultural
sector to enable it to pla a meaningful role
in the development of the economy. The
breakthrogh areas are dairy, horticulture,
cereal and smallstock as well as bee keeping..
These are farming enterprises the Ministry
wants to make a significant impact on, in the
short to medium term.
He said the Integrated Support Programme
for Arable Agriculture Development {ISPAAD}
which was introduced in July 2008 resulted
in over two fold in cereal yields noting that
through ISPAAD more can still be achieved if
farmers can rise to the occasion and be more
committed.
Khama however said they are some farmers
who do not look after their ploughed fields
and consequently attain low yields as a result
of weeds and bird damage that could have
“I therefore call upon all arable farmer
organisations to assist government in weeding
out non-farmers from the ISPAAD programme,”
he said.
He said efforts to reduce the amount of goods
and services imported are already bearing fruit,
noting that under this initiative schools bought
for the first time, local agriculture produce
such as watermelons and green mealies for
school feeding programmes this season.
The Ministry of Local Government bought
thousands of tonnes of grain from the
Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board for its
various feeding programmes.
On dairy farming, President Khama said
the government is aware of the high cost of
inputs associated with establishment of a dairy
enterprise and as such he encourageddairy
entrepreneurs to grow fodder with assistance
from ISPAAD to reduce the feed bill as it is
feed which is critical to the sustance of the
dairy business.
For his part, the Minister of Agriculture
Christiaan De Graaff said agriculture business
is faced with challenges which may inhibt its
growth and prosperity.
He said the challenges are evident across the
spectrum from primary production through
processing and marketing all the way to the
consumer.
“It is important to note that these challenges are
many and complex,” he said.
De Graaff said the challenges vary from natural
phenomenon such as climatic conditions to
market related scenarios.
Assistant Minister Molebatsi decried some
dairy companies which have put their milk
standards very high, higher than those of
Bureau of Standards Such companies, he said
rejects milk from local farmers.
Molebatsi said ISPAAD has proved that
Batswana can produce enough food to feed
the nation.
When presenting on bee production a bee
farmer, Mr. Ontiretse Mochangana decried
lack of support from government as well as
inadequate market outlets.
Another farmer from the Southern District Mr
Odirile Patle emphasised the importance soil
testing before one embarks in arable farming.
Tshepo Masire a beef producer said that one
Pitso is not enough for them.
He urged farmers to always be closer to their
agricultural business entity, noting that they
can not be good farmers when they stay very
far from their cattle posts. He said water
shortage is a problem in many districts and
urged the government supply water to farmers.
Masire said that they are many cattle in the
Ngwaketsi district but the problem is lack of
infrastructure such as roads to supply to the
BMC.
For his part Mr. W Herbst, a dairy farmer
said that they have a problem with milk by
products adding that they are no processors
who can assist them package and produce
many products from the dairy. He is crying of
lack of support from the government
Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo who was then
acting Permanent Secretary emphasized
proper management to the farmers
Gaseboiwe Peter
May 2010

tools, infrastructure and skills to become
commercially viable.
They would provide in-house advice and
back-up support and training services
as well as access to tractors, ploughs
and ploughing services to farmers to
guarantee maximum output.
The centers would also host training
days to provide an opportunity to build
and cement personal relationships with
producers and stakeholders which
would result in mutual trust which
forms the backbone of successful
farming ventures.
Dr. Christopher Manthe
FARMER SERVICE CENTRES
TO OPERATE AS RETAIL
Article: Epena Ngatangue
The Acting Director of the National
Master Plan for Arable Agriculture and
Dairy Development (NAMPAADD)
Dr. Christopher Manthe says
farmers’ service centers will pioneer
mechanization of agriculture by
developing a suitable model that can
be used to increase machinery usage.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Manthe
said the centers will operate as retail
outlets to support commercial farming
by selling agricultural inputs including
agro-chemicals, veterinary requisites,
animal feeds, seeds, fertilizers, packing
bags and selected spare parts. They
will also provide contract services for
ploughing, planting and harvesting
of rainfed crops. Other services to
be provided are extension support
to clients including technical advice,
financial planning and marketing
services.
Such centers, he said, will be passed to
the private sector to operate when their
role and operation methods are well
established.
Currently there is one center in
Goodhope but others will be
constructed in other high potential
areas with time.
“The centers will enable
farmers to have access to
farming implements and
other requirements
at reasonably low
prices from a
c o n v e n i e n t
single location
so that they
(farmers) do
not waste a
lot of time and
fuel in search of
basic inputs,” he
said.
He said the centers
would be about providing
the individual farmer with
On the long term benefits of the centers,
Dr. Manthe further said they would
enable emerging farmers to become
commercial, adopting improved
farming methods and techniques thus
making agriculture more attractive and
profitable.
He said the centers would create
employment opportunities, increase
rural incomes and reduce rural urban
migration.
On the difference between the
centers and the existing Rural Training
Centers, Dr. Manthe said essentially
NAMPAADD services centers are
business premises where commercial
farmers purchase farm inputs, access
business information, and receive
extension advice.
“Key partners at service centers will
be CEDA, NDB, private banks, farmer
associations and individual farmers,” he
said.
He further said for their part Production
and Training Centers (PTFs) were
established to show case technologies
that improve agricultural productivity.
PTFs also serve as training facilities for
farmers and extension workers.
According to Dr. Manthe, one of the
greatest problems farmers encountered,
which prompted the idea of coming up
with the centers, was access to machinery,
farming inputs and professional
support. He said a study conducted by
consulting engineers showed that it is
not economically viable for individual
farmers cultivating less than 150
hectares to own machinery hence the
establishment of the agricultural service
center in Goodhope.
The service center was bought from
the Rural Industry Promotion Company
(RIPCO) at slightly over P3 million. A
farm manager is currently operating it
and it is anticipated that more staff will
be deployed.
The four tractors and other implements
at the center were bought early this year
for over P7 million. The tractors and
implements available has a capacity to
bring 3 000 hectares into production
per season
May 2010

Botswana’s karakul renaissance
Article: Felix Mothatego
Photos: Mothusi Tlale
Very few are enjoying the benefits of
exporting karakul pelts to Europe.
Hendrick Esterhuizen of Welkom farm,
which is located a stone throw from
Bokspits and struizendam villages is
one of the farmers making the statistics.
Welkom is also located along the border
fence between Botswana and Namibia.
He said karakul is the skin of newborn or
even unborn lambs, prized for its softness
and silk-like texture. The newborn are
slaughtered immediately after birth
because their silky pelt would fetch a
high price on the export market.
Once the lamb is a few days old, its pelt
looses the characteristics-silk watered
look; it dries out and becomes longer. At
that point it is ordinary sheepskin, sold
for a fraction of the price of karakul.
The fur enjoys wide demand in Europe,
where it is made into high-priced coats.
The skins go mainly to Britain, Denmark,
Finland and China, he added. The most
common colours are grey and black,
although beige and other tints are also
popular.
Hendrick said preparing karakul skins for
use is a laborious and time-consuming
process, which in part accounts for the
high price of the pelts. When describing
the procedure he said the small pelt is
first washed clean, and sprinkled with
salt before it is put in special trays, and
left in the sun to dry. After they dry, the
skins are cut into pieces ready for export.
He then packages them in a way that
would not affect the quality during
transportation, and then he applies for
the permit to export to South Africa.
The products are then quarantined for
30 days here in Botswana, South Africa,
and Namibia before they are flown to
Europe. He said it would then take up
to six months to get any feedback from
Europe. He said an average price for a
pelt is P500.00, and sometimes even
much more depending on the quality.
Hendrick said before 1985 the process
of exporting was not as tedious as it
is to date. He said karakul producers
were many and would produce 30 000
pelts per year, but now there are about
three to four active farmers in Bokspits
village. He said most of the producers
lost confidence in karakul due to the
collapse of the karakul market in 1985.
“However, the market has now recovered
and prices are even much better than in
the past because a pellet used to be sold
for P6”, he said.
He said the hardy karakul sheep
withstands the harsh climate of
Botswana’s south, with its cold winter and
brutally hot summers. He said karakuls
are not complicated to control because
they forage in groups as compared to
goats which scatter all-over the place
when foraging. He also said karakuls
have to be shaved regularly because they
quickly grow to wool. He said he waters
them every morning before they go out
on their foraging trip, and that they return
at dusk by themselves.
Hendrick said he first learnt about
karakul production in 1964 when he was
still a young man working for the then
“Germany West”, which is now Namibia.
He was working under supervision of a
scientist doing research on these animals.
He also said he has been passing karakul
production skills to his children and
grandchildren all his life so that they
know that they understand is survival
skills
karakul
May 2010

KWENENG FARMERS
THE BENEFITS
Batlhopi
Gaoakanye
May 2010

DEMONSTRATE
OF IMPROVED
TECHNOLOGIES
Article: Kediretswe Pule
Photos: Pius Nkunda
Two demonstration farmers,
Thomas Batlhopi, and
Oalotswe Gaoakanye recently
showcased the benefits of
using improved technologies
to farmers that attended
Takatokwane extension area
farmer’s field day.
The duo had implemented
improved agricultural
technologies such as row
planting, application of
fertilizers and choice variety, in
order to improve productivity
in their crop fields.
The results of the
demonstrations in the field
showed that compared to
Khalahari Earl Pearl maize
local variety, a hybrid variety,
CS403, performs better under
restrained water moisture.
This years ploughing season
was characterized by light
drizzles of rain and heat
stress, but SC403 still showed
fast growth under heat stress
compared to Khalahari Earl
Pearl. The variety showed that
it borne big cobs compared to
the other variety.
On another field the farmer
showed that application of
fertilizers enhances good crop
stand and yield. The farmers
applied basal dressing with
single supper phosphate and
top dressing with LAN.
The crop stand where fertilizers
were applied showed fast
growth, flowered early and
bore fruits at the same time.
Agricultural demonstrator
Kweneng West farmer’s committe
chairperson
May 2010

Dr. Raborokgwe
MAUN
BOTSWANA MEAT COMMISSION
ABATTOIR OPENS IN JULY
Article: Epena Ngatangue
The Deputy Director of Veterinary
Services Dr. Kobedi Segale says there is
enough cattle in Ngamiland to sustain the
Maun Botswana Meat Commission (BMC)
abattoir due to be opened in July this year.
Dr. Segale said in an interview that the
current livestock census in Ngamiland is
370 000 cattle, noting that the annual offtake
of 10-20% will maintain the abattoir.
On the long-term benefits of the abattoir,
Dr. Segale said it would improve the
livelihoods of Ngamiland residents as
well as improving available local markets.
On the hand, the Chief Executive Officer
of BMC Dr. Motshudi Raborokgwe
said the government is aware of the
importance of the Maun abattoir to the
economy of Ngamiland.
He said people in Ngamiland depend
mostly on livestock production for their
livelihoods. Farmers have been without
a source of income since the Foot and
Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in 2007
and opening of the abattoir will alleviate
and reduce poverty.
Dr. Raborokgwe said another long-term
benefit is the injection of money to the
local economy each year in the form of
payments for cattle.
He said the abattoir will directly employ
approximately 100 people, most of whom
will be recruited locally, noting that the
BMC will also contract out plant services
where possible to local firms, further
creating employment in Ngamiland.
“The opening of the abattoir will reduce
the pressure on the land which currently
has more than the land can bear,” he said.
On the constraints, Dr. Raborokgwe said
the primary one is going to be the water
supply. He said the Department of Water
Affairs has advised that they cannot
guarantee a supply for 100 cattle kill pay
day now and will not be able to supply
water to enable an increased throughput
inside a 3 to 5 year time frame.
“Alternative groundwater supplies are
poor quality and not suitable for process
use inside the plant,” he said.
He said they are looking at possibilities
of installing a large reservoir for buffer
storage, installing water efficient
equipment and adopting water efficient
practices in process areas and using
recycled water on the grounds and in
washing yards.
“We are also looking at working with
Maun Secondary School to access water
from the Thamalakane River at the
school’s approved extraction site,” he said.
Dr. Raborokgwe said as the water supply
might not be in place by test-slaughter
date, contingency plans are in place to
bowse in water until adequate water
storage is in place.
He said the other problem is that of
the sewerage ponds which are behind
schedule, noting that contingency plans
being looked at are transporting the waste
from the site or storing it at a temporary
site until the ponds are complete.
Dr. Raborokgwe concurred with Dr.
Segale that there are enough cattle to
sustain the abattoir, adding that the plant
will be killing around 30, 000 cattle a year
at best allowing for overtime and weekend
kills. “We are aware that this however
will take a long time to clear the backlog
of cattle ready for slaughter,” he said.
On plans to export the beef, Dr.
Raborokgwe said under the prevailing
FMD situation, what can be absorbed
within Ngamiland will be sold within the
area in fresh form. The remainder of the
throughput will be hot deboned, and then
heat- treated. The product will be then
be shipped to the cannery in Lobatse for
production of stewed steak in cans.
Dr. Raborokgwe further said the
Department of Veterinary Services has
recently given BMC the dispensation
to sell the product in the EU areas of
Botswana provided the product passes
set standards.
“Once the Foot and Mouth Disease situation
is under control BMC will then look
for markets outside Botswana,” he said.
He said a heat treatment facility is
currently being put in place together
with the refurbishment, noting that the
abattoir is re-furbished to the extent
that once operational, it will continue
kill irrespective of the FMD status of
Ngamiland
This means that facilities have to be put
in place to heat-treat the product before
it can be marketed outside of Ngamiland.
He said even during an active FMD
outbreak in some part of Ngamiland,
boxed beef will after meeting all
maturation requirements be allowed to
be moved and sold outside Ngamiland if
produced from areas deemed free of FMD.
According to Dr. Raborokgwe the total
cost of refurbishment is P75 million after
taking into consideration the latest EU
plant requirements as well as the new
environmental laws.
He said the refurbishment timetable
is determined by the delivery and
installation of imported equipment, some
of which has up to 4 to 5 months delivery
period. “So the major activities will be
after equipment arrives which is mid
May 2010 and the installation packaging
and heat treatment equipment mid June
2010,” he said.
He said the heat treatment facility is a
completely new plant and is to be started
from scratch.
Dr. Raborokgwe further said when the
abattoir starts operating, there is going
to be more cattle available than can be
killed and appealed to farmers to be
patient and work with BMC to ensure all
get a chance to send cattle and that kill
progresses in an orderly manner.
He said a Quota Allocation Committee,
which includes farmers, has been set up
to issue quotas to farmers for kill once the
abattoir opens
May 2010

Horticulture projects
in
Boteti show potential
Article: France Begensel
Photos: Mothusi Tlale
Despite many challenges such as
bad roads in areas of production,
distances to established markets, lack
of water, marauding pests and lack
of technical know-how, horticulture
projects in Boteti are prospering.
This has been encouraged by the
recent flooding of the Boteti River after
more than 20 years. Baikitsi Keitatotse
of Makalamabedi saw potential in
the river and decided on a vegetable
production project along the banks of
the river where he has a farm. He says
that initially he was not interested in
horticulture because of the hard work it
entails. He says “the fact that you have
to be there all the time scarred me, this
is because with cattle you just give
them water and let them go and graze.”
Keitatotse says he started his project
from the little savings he had. He though
aspires to get a CEDA loan so that he
could expand his business. He discloses
that in his garden he grows spinach,
chomolia, rape, butternuts and cabbage.
He says he is worried because some of
these crops do not do well because of
the rampant pests in the area. He laments
that though there are many hippos in the
area, they have not yet raided his garden.
As for the market, Keitatotse says he
arranged with some chain shops like
Choppies and Shoprite stores in Maun to
buy his produce. He says “the problem
is that I can not meet their high demand
as I have just started production.” He
reveals that he also caters for the
home based care and the destitute
who he supplies in a monthly basis.
He discloses that with the river so full of
water, he will only have himself to blame
if he does not prosper. He adds that in
the past water shortage was a major
limitation to production. He encourages
other Batswana especially those living
near rivers to venture into agriculture
projects and use the vast water resource.
For Rebagamang Mbende, life has
never been the same since he ventured
into vegetable production. He says that
he is happy the people in his village
of Moreomaoto look up to him for the
provision of vegetables. He says that he
is the only one in the village who sells
vegetables in the neighboring villages.
Mbende says “I realized that residents
had to travel a long way to Maun to get
vegetables, it was very expensive for them
to travel that long and the vegetables were
also expensive, and that are sometimes
traveled there only to find there are
not any vegetables”. He adds that also
noticed that destitute and the home
based care caretakers were desperately
in need of vegetables. He saw potential
in this and started growing vegetables.
He says that he already had a field
when he needs to grow maize, sorghum,
watermelons and beans. He decided to
change this field into a garden where he
could grow vegetables. He beamingly
says that the close proximity of his farm/
field to the Boteti river is more than a
blessing. He says he does not have to
worry about drilling a borehole because
of availability of water in the river.
Though it is his first year in production,
Mbende says he made a lot of money
from selling vegetables. He says “the
Baikitsi Keitatotse
agric demonstrator of our village has
been my pillar of strength, he has
always been there for me. “He says
with his lack of know how in this, he
could never have achieved what he has.
Although Mbende is happy with his
business, he decries the unavailability
of pesticides in their area saying they
get it far away in Maun or Letlhakane.
He also decries their cost saying its too
high for small scale farmer like him. The
unavailability of seeds/seedlings is also a
major hindrance to production. He says
they get them from a far and that sometimes
it takes a while for them to be availed. He
reveals that things could be different if the
government provided them with seeds.
Mbende grows cabbage, which he sells
at P12 a head, tomatoes, rape,onions
and spinach. He though reveals that
cabbage is the most outstanding crop in
the area the reason he allocated a large
chunk of land to it. He s though worried
by a worm which he cannot identify
clearly stating that it bores into the
leaves of the cabbage. He says plans are
underway to expand his 1 hector to plant
more crop as there is plenty of water.
Mbende also reveals that lack of garden
implements limits him from achieving
his goals. He says he needs a tractor to
turn over the soil but it is beyond his
abilities to acquire one. Another problem
he says is because the Ispaad programme
was not extended to their area, saying
may be he would borrow a tractor from
the programme to plough his land.
He currently has one one employee and
hopes to hire more when his business
expands
May 2010

Kedikilwe Kedikilwe
AGRICULTURAL
DEMONSTRATOR
SHINES IN HATSALATLADI
Article: Priscilla Nthaga
Photo: Tshepiso Baipidile
Kweneng East Agricultural Demonstrator
Joshua Pagiwa was recently put on the
spot light when most farmers in the
area said his hardwork and dedication
inspired them to strive for better yields
in their fields.
Mr. Pagiwa was man of the moment
during the tour of some fields in
Kweneng East during a Field Day
held in Hatsalatladi. Most farmers
said they could have abandoned their
fields if it was not for Mr. Pagiwa who
encouraged them not to despaIr amidst
many challenges of pests.
The first field to be toured was of
Obateng Kwenaetsile who planted
Kalahari Early Pearl (K.E.P) maize
variety. He said his farm had cynodon
dactylon weed (motlhwa) and Mr.
Pagiwa taught him how to fight the
weed. “He encouraged me to spend
P700 on chemical to spray the weed
that was about to make me desert the
farm,” he said with delight.
Kwenaetsile further said he was happy
with the yields as the maize he planted
could withstand harsh weather.
The second field was for Michael
Rantao and Thapelo Otisitswe who have
planted a 48 hectares of sunflower, 15
hectares of peanuts and nine hectares
of cow peas. They said the Seed
Management Unit in Sebele gave them
the seeds to start the project. The unit is
now their main market. They also sell to
other farmers who want to be engaged
in same project.
Another farmer, Philly Johnson and
his partner Innocent Nanga planted a
high brid of white and yellow maize.
Johnson revealed that white maize was
broadcasted while the yellow one was
row planted. He said row planting
proffed to be advantageous as the yields
were far much better.
Johnson said that yellow and white
maize are not supposed to be planted
at the same place thus they decided to
plant sweet reeds in between to avoid
cross polliination.
He further said setlhabakolobe and
mmabasetlha weeds are giving them
sleepless nights adding that to spray
the weeds is very expensive.
Neo Motlhabane, one of the farmers
whose farm was toured ploughed 240
hectares of maize, peanuts, sweet
potatoes and peas. He said that despite
the heat wave they experienced for
two months he is expecting a high
yield due to the improved farming
methods and the advice he got from
the Agricultural Demonstrator.
Motlhabane said that he was financed
by the CEDA to buy all the machineries
he owns .He went on to urged farmers
to make use government support
programs such as ISPAAD.
Other farmers whose farms were
toured included Oduetse Thebeetsile
who planted maize and applied kraal
manure on the other part and another
applied other artificial fertilizers. He
encouraged other farmers to use row
planting and listen to agricultural
experts.
One of the farmer, David Tumagole
said he ventured into farming after
being encouraged by farmers in
Barolong area after he had toured
some fields. He said Barolong diversify
arable farming rather than sticking to
one crop.
Tumagole also said
he was impressed by
the machinery used to
scar quelea birds while
encouraging other
farmers not to despair
when they see some
fields which are not
doing well.
He said that Kweneng
East is blessed to have
a youthful, active and
passionate Agricultural
Demonstrator.
For his part, Mr Pagiwa
said that he has passion for
farming so his wish is to leave a
mark in the area.
The Kweneng Agricultural Coordinator,
Kedikilwe Kedikilwe said he was
impressed to see farmers teaching each
other such things as row planting and
application of chemicals, adding that
field days are used to share information
and experiences.
Kedikilwe encouraged farmers to use
their fields productively as government
is in the process of re-possessing
unused land.
Giving a vote of thanks, the area
councillor, Duncan Gower said that
dedication and determination are key
to good farming.
Farmers were encouraged to form
commodity associations so that they
easily destroy cynodon dactylon as a
group and buy the chemical and share
it.
Farmers were also encouraged to
destroy motlhwa while is still at tender
age. Soil treatment should be done
before applying fertilizers so that one
can know how much fertilizers do the
crop needs.
For one to have high yield one has
to choose the seed carefully before
planting it
May 2010

LIVESTOCK AND
MEAT INDUSTRIES ACT
PROTECTS ALL PARTIES
Dr Sehularo
Article: Priscilla Nthaga
Photo: Tshepiso Baipidile
In their endeavour to sensitize butcheries
and meat retailers on the provision of the
Livestock and Meat Industries Act which
amongst other things calls for inspection of
meat products for human consumption, the
Ministry of Agriculture and that of Labour
and Home Affairs in conjuction Barclays
Bank, recently hosted a stakeholders
workshop on Act.
The workshop was officially opened by
Kweneng District Commissioner, Mr. Moagi
Kenosi, who said the act was enacted
to ensure that all meat to be sold should
be inspected to ascertain if it is in a good
condition for human consumption. He
further stated that the Act was also made to
protect both the retailers and customers.
He said the Act would go a long way in
improving the quality of meat, adding
that Batswana would be able tom eat the
same quality of meat which the Botswana
Meat Commission {BMC} exports to the
European market.
Mr Kenosi said Botswana is a meat eating
nation so it is important that the meat eaten
is of high quality.
For his part the Agricultural Regional
Coordinator for Kweneng Mr Kedikilwe
Kedikilwe said the purpose of the workshop
is to empower meat retailers and butcheries
inorder for their businesses to prosper.
The other purpose he said is to guide meat
retailers and butcheries on slaughtering
procedures and other methods required in
meat inspection as well as giving them tips
on how their meat could be rejected.
Kedikilwe appealed to them not to resist
change as they are likely to lose customers
if they do so.
Another purpose of the workshop was
to teach butchers and meat retailers on
handling and transportation of meat which
he said that can be one principle that can
attract customer to butcheries. He went on
to say that temperature control after shelve
life should be complied noting that during
transportation more air should be allowed
to circulate.
Also speaking at the occasion was the
Deputy Director of Veterinary Services Dr
Kerapetse Sehularo who said Botswana has
only 47 meat inspectors but needs at least
150. He said Molepolole alone has adding
57 butcheries and 244 000 livestock.
He went on to reveal the core cluster
responsibility of the Department of
Veterinary Services is animal health
protection which entails responsibility
for animal health, how the animals are
to be handled when they are ailing. He
also emphasised the importance of
communicating with the veterinarian
before moving the animals from one place
to another.
He further stated that veterenary offcials
look at many issues before issuing a permit
for animal movement, adding that some
diseases can be detected on life animals
while others can be found on meat.
The other cluster, he said, is animal welfare
protection which is basically how animals
should be handled. Animals should be
taken care off, they should not be beaten.
Dr Sehularo said that Botswana is praised
for producing meat that is in good
condition for human consumption and
also how diseases such as Foot and Mouth
are handled. He said when it comes to
Foot and Mouth Disease {FMD) control
Botswana takes the lead.
Dr. Sehularo said the other cluster is Public
Health Protection which deals with food
safety and zoonoses.
He said that the main purpose of the act
is customer protection thus dictating
that cattle are slaughtered in a hygienic
environment to avoid food poisoning at all
costs.
It is also consolidates the control which
includes licensing and revocation of
licensing when there is contravention of
standards, supervision and inspection
of meat to ensure that only wholesome
and safe meat is sold to the public under
one authority (Department of Veterinary
Services (DVS} The inspection by DVS will
guarantee independent meat inspection
and carcass grading as opposed to the
current situation.
Dr Sehularo said the primary responsibility
of the operator is to ensure safety and
suitability of meat for human consumption
in accordance with regulatory meat hygiene
requirements adding that consumers of
meat should protect meat by maintaining
the temperature that the meat has when
buying, saying it is dangerous to defrost
meat and put it back to the fridge.
He added that customers should be
responsible for meat safety from the point of
sale to the point of consumption.
He further stated the export facilities would
be expected to meet domestic as well as
importing countries requirements adding
that importing requirement would strictly
adhered to so as to protect the country’s
human and livestock population and
environment against biosecurity threats
related to globalization
Dr Sehularo went on to talk about meat
handling and its transportation. He revealed
that car transporting meat should be cleaned
and the meat covered not placed in the floor
of the vehicle and green offers like intestines
should not be placed on top of the red meat
adding that intestines should be eaten as
fresh as possible, if eaten after frozen the
virus increases rapidly.
He further said in covered vehicle there
should be containers to store red meat.
The interior areas of the vehicle should
be done in a way that the meat cannot be
contaminated and wall and floor should be
corrosion existence. Cars should be sealed
with silicon materials since it does not allow
cockroaches to hide in between.
Hard plastics containers that can be closed
with light colours to identify dirt should be
used since dark colours can hide dirt and also
packaged meat should not be transported in
the same car with unpackaged meat.
For the store chilled meat in the fridge it is
allowed to be transported within 24km not
frozen, if frozen allowed to be transported
100km not beyond, fresh meat should
be loaded in 7 degrees Celsius or less in
trucks, 4 degrees Celsius for chilled meat
and -12 degrees Celsius for fresh frozen
meat. Transporting unfrozen meat would be
allowed if one can drive within an hour.
Dr Sehularo said the exemptions of the
facilities would be animals intended for
slaughter for consumption within a single
household, public gatherings (including
weddings, funerals and celebrations) and
butchers and retail shop would not be
allowed to sell meat unless it comes from
licensed operational abattoirs.
to page 16 >
May 2010

DIBETE OSTRICH MULTIPLICATION
UNIT A VIABLE PROJECT
Article: Epena Ngatangue
The viability of the Dibete Ostrich
Multiplication Unit (DOMU) is dependent
on the operation of the ostrich abattoir,
says the Deputy Director of Animal
Production in the Ministry of Agriculture
Dr. John Moreki.
Speaking in an interview Dr. Moreki
said its viability is also dependent on the
willingness of the Citizen Entreprenuael
Development Agency (CEDA) to finance
ostrich projects, noting that DOMU
has been affected by the closure of the
abattoir as it has some birds which could
have been slaughtered in the last quarter
of 2009.
Dr. Moreki said DOMU which is being run
by the Department of Animal Production
has 660 breeders which are considered to
be adequate to support the project. In all
there are 1433 birds (660 breeders, 415
juveniles and 358 chicks) on the farm.
DOMU comprises four blocks, three of
which are currently occupied while the
fourth is under construction. DOMU
produces hatching eggs that are hatched
at Goldiggers (Talana farms) in the
Tuli Block. According to Dr. Moreki
an agreement was reached last year
between government and Goldiggers for
Goldiggers to provide hatching service for
government on chick sharing basis.
According to the agreement, government
takes 60 % of the chicks hatched while
Goldiggers gets 40 %. Birds are raised in
Talana Farms up to five days and thereafter
transferred to Dibete. Birds from DOMU
are available to farmers to buy.
Dr. Moreki says government also
provides funds to young farmers to set
up businesses including ostrich farming
through Young Farmers Fund (YFF).
On how ostrich farming could improve
profitability, Dr. Moreki said there is an
urgent need to promote consumption
of ostrich meat locally as dependency
on export market does not seem to be
profitable given the low number of birds
that are slaughtered.
He also said there is need to have farmers
that concentrate only in growing and/or
fattening, breeding and hatching in the
future. “There is no doubt that vertical
integration and contract growing would
contribute enormously to increased
production,” he said.
Dr. Moreki came up with suggestions
which could improve ostrich farming
in the country such as subsiding ostrich
feeds. He said feed is the single largest
cost in ostrich production. He said feed
cost accounts for 70% to 80% of the
production costs.
He said regular maintenance of the
abattoir should guard against frequent
closures which have detrimental effects
on the performance of the ostrich
industry. “It is worth noting that such
closures affect meat and skin quality,” he
said.
Dr. Moreki also suggested that birds
should be reared within the vicinity of
the abattoir. He said new ostrich farms
should be cited no more than 100 km
from the abattoir to reduce transportation
costs.
He further suggested that training in
ostrich management should be intensified
to equip staff with recent technologies on
Dr. John Moreki
ostrich production. Government support
regarding laboratory technical services
should be strengthened, he said.
On the greatest achievements in
ostrich farming, Dr. Moreki cited the
establishment of ostrich abattoir and
DOMU. Currently DOMU produces
and sells chicks and growers/juveniles to
farmers at subsidized prices.
Other constraints in ostrich farming, Dr.
Moreki mentioned poor quality of feeds,
inadequate laboratory analytical services
as well as inadequate extension service.
Dr. Moreki said delay in allocation of
land for ostrich farming deter farmers
to venture into ostrich production. In
addition, the size of the plots allocated
that is usually inadequate to support the
venture.
On the long term benefits of DOMU,
Dr. Moreki cited provision of chicks
and growers/juveniles to farmers which
should contribute to the revival of the
industry through increased throughput as
well as transfer of technical skills to the
ostrich farmers
May 2010

B otswana
College of
A griculture
TO TURN INTO A UNIVERSITY
Article: Theresa Mokgwathi
Photos: Pius Nkunda
Botswana College of Agriculture on May
5, 2010 familiarized the media fraternity
with its facilities and strategy for 2012
and beyond. The Principal of the College
Dr Ricks Chabo said that the purpose of
the event was to give the media first hand
information on the development of the
college as a partner. He said the college
has a lot to unpackage to the public
Chabo said that the college’s new strategy
is in alignment with the countries Vision
2016, to be an Educated, Informed
Nation, and a Prosperous, Productive and
Innovative nation.
He further said that the National
Development Plan aims to diversify
the economy from mining to renewal
economic sectors such as agriculture and
tourism and this means the college has a
defined role to play in the development
of the country especially in alleviation
of poverty in the country. “Our role as
the college is to provide knowledge
and skill to eradicate poverty and our
college indeed provides these skills and
knowledge” said Chabo.
Another speaker, Dr Mataba Tapela,Deputy
Dean of Faculty of Agriculture said the
college would be in a position to operate
as a university soon and also graduate to
the production of value added goods. He
said the aims is to focus not only on the
growing of food but to be involved in the
production of food until the last process of
shelve life and putting food on the table.
The college’s vision is to be an agricultural
university of international repute.
Tapela said the mission of the university
will be to produce quality graduates for
the agricultural sector through innovative
teaching and research.
“The university will expand the training
niche it already has in the fields of
agriculture and related sciences by
offering new programmes such as food
science and technology, natural resources
management, agri- business and finance,
community development” said Tapela..
He said that there will be a sustainable
social and economic development
through the coordinated and integrated
application of science and technology,
and to also conserve the environment.
He said that focus areas will mainly be
on agribusiness and finance, agricultural
technology, agro-processing, agricultural
biotechnology, animal health, natural
resources management and agricultural
communication.
The University of Agriculture will provide
human resources with relevant skills and
expertise required to drive government
initiatives such as; Agriculture Hub,
NAMPAADD, ISPAAD, Young Farmer’s
fund and self employment.
Tapela said some benefits of the college
turning into a university will be “the
increased impact in the economy through
focused programming that addresses the
whole value chain of the agricultural
industry and community development.
There will also be generation of innovative
solutions for the agro-industry through
research”.
He further said that the new Agriculture
University may expand to include other
research-oriented institutions such as
Department of Agriculture Research
(DAR), National Food Technology
Research Centre (NFTRC), and Maun
Wild life Training Centre (MWTC).He
on that note said that discussions are at
advanced stage for BCA to takeover the
Meat Inspection Training Centre (MITC)
as its satellite campus.
Tapela went on to reveal some of the farm
facilities for practical experience such as
the poultry facilities, dairy facility which
has a milking parlor that was built by
the Agricultural Engineering Department,
a Center pivot irrigation which covers
a field of 320 metres, which irrigates
continual fodder crops, a vegetable
gardens and piggery.
He mentioned that the college has
expanded its facilities to 50% of what
they used to have, for the college to be
in a position to operate as a university.
The new offices, an engineering
workshop, administration block, three
new lecture halls, one with a capacity of
accommodating
1 0 0 p e o p l e ,
the
second
accommodating 150
people and the third one
accommodating 250 people,
a library that accommodates
300 people and a campus which
is about 600 hectors and a large
land.
He said that most of the physical and
human resources are already in place
so the development cost is not expected
to be high. “The actual cost estimate for
the project will be determined during
the development of a full proposal” said
Tapela.
“BCA staff is trained to the required
academic level, and is already at
par with counterparts at benchmark
universities” Tapela said. The college
has 47 PhD citizen holders and 15 non
citizens. There are 37 citizens’ masters’
holders, 2 non citizens and 5 bachelors’
holders who are citizens. He went on to
say that the college is introducing a PhD
programme which will be new, starting
in August 2010.
He however revealed that the need
for the college to be a university was
influenced by the fact that the college
has been experiencing difficulties in
attracting quality staff and students due
to the fact that it is labeled a college. He
said that people prefer universities over
colleges, giving an example of students
who after they finish Cambridge regard
all the universities as their first priority
and come to BAC as a last resort.
He went on to mention that the other
constrain that they are experiencing
as a college is that it is difficult to be
truly independent and take advantage
of emerging opportunities because they
always have to seek for approval from
the University of Botswana as they are
an associate institution of the University
of Botswana. He mentioned that there
is redundancy in administrative and
governance structures. He also said that
they are experiencing limited growth as
the college is facing challenges in forging
relations with regional universities
May 2010

SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENTS
THROUGH NAMPAADD
Article: Gorata Molosi
Photo: Pius Nkunda
The Deputy Permanent (Crop
Services) in the Ministry of Agriculture
Edison Wotho hailed the National
Master Plan for Arable Agriculture
Development (NAMPAADD) for
taking agriculture to another level.
Speaking at the Agricultural Pitso
recently Wotho said there are signs of
improvements for farmers who have
adopted NAMPAADD machineries.
He further said irrigated agriculture
needs concerted efforts if one has
has to gain maximum yeilds.
Michael Diteko from the Botswana
Horticultural Council said
land allocated to horticulture
countrywide is 3000 ha (1200ha
unutilised land and used is 1800ha).
He said unutilised land has potential
to produce an extra 10-20 000 tons,
but the challenge is water.
The other challenge is seasonal
production, adding that due to the
weather conditions they are some
crops which depend on weather, for
instance tomatoes which he said
are scarce in winter. He said about
10 000 tons of tomatoes are thrown
away because of lack of industries to
add value.
He mentioned high cost of inputs
and climate change as the other
challenge they face in horticulture
saying that climate change is for real.
He encouraged farmers to stop being
individualistic by selling their crops
to big wholesalers such as Choppies
other than working together and
improve their markets.
On cereal production, a farmer
representative in that sector Mr
Mapitse said producers appreciated
government support programmes
such as ISPAAD.
He however said farmers complain
about destructive animals and birds
and proposed that only those who
fenced their fields be assisted with
seeds.
Mr. Mapitse complained about late
issuamce of seeds and fertilisers as
well as shortage of tractors
He also suggested that people
involved in Ipelegeng should not be
given seeds and fertlisers, adding that
people who are serious in farming
should be given land.
Mr Mapitse further said farmers want
to be subsidised to control weeds.
He further said decried shortage of
farm labour as Batswana go for white
collar jobs and do not want to work
in farms.
A horticultural trader popularly
known as Mr veg also gave his point of
view in the crop marketing and trade
related issues.He said that buyers
are not supporting the producers in
Botswana. He pointed out Packaging,
Labeling and Marketing as the most
problem in Botswana.
Mr Veg emphasised on quality sales
adding that most of the farmers
do not have capacity to deliver to
their customers. He said that most
producers lack training in marketing
skills and he therefore recommended
to government to develop marketing
skills and create an office of fair
training through legislation. The other
recommendation to the government
he said was that they should remove
VAT on horticulture produce as well
as farm inputs.Like other farmers Mr
Veg emphasised the importance of
food security
May 2010

GOVERNMENT TO VACCINATE
FOR MANGE DISEASE
Article: Felix Mothatego
Photos: Henry Toto
The government has decided to begin free
treatment of all small stock in Kgalagadi area
for Mange disease or Lephalo in vernacular,
this May.
This was said by the minister of Agriculture
Christiaan De Graaff during Kgotla meeting
with farmers in Hukuntsi and Kang. He said
his ministry reversed the decision to ask
farmers to buy treatment drugs from Livestock
Advisory Center (LAC) or mobile LAC, to treat
their sheep and goats.
The ministry made this move because some
poor farmers could not afford to buy the drugs,
and there was shortage of drugs in LAC around
the country. Government could also not
intervene by offering a free treatment, because
of the financial recession. Hence the desired
goal of reducing the disease could also not be
achieved.
The disease increased and later spread
throughout Kgalagadi district. As a
consequence, the ministry instituted a control
strategy of eliminating the disease in the
district, and to increase public awareness.
Movement of small stock within, into and out
of the district is prohibited, except for direct
slaughter within the district. He said the
success of the strategy depends on farmers’
commitment and cooperation.
He urged them to avail their livestock for
treatment, on the specified treatment days. All
goats and sheep regardless of age would be
treated twice at two weeks interval.
The Deputy Director in the Department of
Veterinary Services Dr. Letlhogile Modisa
said in an interview, that mange is a parasitic
disease. The parasite causes an infestation of
the skin, causing
Irritation or itching in the animal infected. The
mange in Kgalagadi is caused by a parasite
called Sarc optic Mange.
He said not only has it affected this district,
also on the fringes of the neighboring district
they do see some cases. It affects goats and
sheep usually in the months when they have
to crowd together, therefore overcrowding is
one of the predisposing factors for the disease.
He said this disease is normally present in
the population but, once in a while where
overcrowding is common it becomes a bit
beyond the usual occurrence
When an infected animal comes in contact
with those that have not been exposed to the
parasite, it passes the parasite to those not
affected. It resides on the skin of the animals,
feeding on dying skin tissues while causing
loss of hair, and itching in the animals affected.
This animal eventually loses quite significant
amount of hair because of itching, and
scratching against objects.
He said prevention of the disease is by
guarding against overcrowding of the animals,
and by imposing a ban on movement of goats
and sheep from where there are cases. Farmers
however, have to note that transportation of
meat itself does not spread the disease, so
people could transport meat from wherever
they want to their destinations. Dr. Modisa
also said other products such as milk do not
transmit the disease.
He appealed to farmers to try and control this
disease by observing movement protocols,
and round up their small stock to facilitate the
injection of these animals. He said the drug
they would be using has got a withdrawal
period of fourteen days. Therefore, fourteen
days after the injection animals should not
be slaughtered for consumption, although
they understand that this would be an
inconvenience. They also discourage farmers
to try and keep some animals away from
treatment under the pretext that they would
be slaughtered soon, because these goats and
sheep would infect others once the treatment
drug is finished in the system.
He said they would not encourage anybody to
skip treatment for any reason, because there
is no good reason to skip this treatment. Even
those who treated their animals have to bring
them for treatment, because this treatment has
to be done simultaneously in order to wipe
out the parasite. Dr. Modisa said the drug they
are using is not a vaccine but a parasiticide,
and kills a number of parasites in small stock
including internal ones. “So we are killing two
birds with one stone”, he said.
However, there are some other blood parasites
that would not respond to this treatment such
as Heart water and Ana plasma amongst
others. He said when it comes to ecto parasites
such as soft ticks, the treatment would be a
replacement and farmers would not have to
apply other medications. If they happen to
want to do so, they appeal to them to contact
their nearest Veterinary office for advice on the
matter.
He said technically this is not a vaccination;
it is what they call chemoprophylaxis. The
more animals they cover the better because if
they could cover all the goats and sheep, they
anticipate that they would leave no goats and
sheep where the parasite could reside to infect
other animals
May 2010

THE NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL SHOW
09 - 14 AUGUST 2010
RETHINKING AGRICULTURE:
KEY TO SELF-RELIANCE AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Venue: Showground - Agricultural site
Official opening 11/09/2010
Fee: P20 Adults & P10 Children
Ministry of Agriculture
May 2010
For more information
3908141 / 39148253689475 / 3689476/ 3689146