Agrinews February 2013 - Ministry of Agriculture

of farmingfarms, taking into considerationthe cost incurred during theprocess.This directly affect themnegatively since buyers willconsider the price of a commoditywhich in most cases the bigfarms always win even thoughthe quality is the same.“It is this market that wedepend on for capital in orderto pay back the loans we havewith CEDA, but the market issmall ”there, what burdens us is that weare farming small with high inputcost therefore we have to put ourprices a bit high.” As a result ofthis, the market chooses thosefrom big farmers since their priceis less.Mr Samuel Tjetjoo, Head ofpoultry section, Ministry ofAgriculture said they are awareof such problems of which heassociated with lack of propermarket research by the producer.“It is through the proper marketresearch that can provideinformation about the productionlevel.”Though Gabalathane articulatethat for one to be profitable inegg production, he needs to havea flock of at least 4 000 birds inproduction, Tjetjoo believes it isnot about the number but ratherthe proper market research thatdetermines the profitability of thebusiness.He used the phrase ‘start smalland grow bigger’ as a guidance tosmall egg producers, particularlyin Boteti area to target thosesmall markets they can be able tosustain such as hotels and smallgeneral dealers.Kelapisitswe Lebonetse ofNdaba Poultry in Letlhakane andalso a CEDA Young Farmers Fundbeneficiary highlighted that thecompetition for market with bigfarms is a threat to their existence.Unlike Gabalathane, Lebonetseis not willing to quit eggproduction and prefer to riseup and soldier on even if thereare some challenges. They buythe feeds from Francistown ataddition costs for transport. Hecited these additional costs asa reason why they are forced toprice their products higher thanthe big farmers.Lebonetse said the eggproduction business needs alarge number of birds for starterups to be profitable, but at aprice of P76 a bird, they as smallfarmers cannot afford.To address the problem suchas purchasing feeds far fromtheir projects, Tjetjoo urge themto always consult with PoultryFarmers Association in theirrespective area to influencepoultry feeds suppliers to openan outlet in their vicinity.In an event of buying feedsfar from their area, he advicethem to group themselves sothey can buy in bulk and cut thetransportation costs. And in thisarrangement, he said Feed Centeris will to help those who can doso.5February 2013