Despite efforts put in place by the government to upscale production, the livestock sector is said to be still characterized by low productivity leading to a decline in its population over the years.
This was revealed by the Minister of Agriculture Fidelis Molao during an activation activity for the commemoration of world food day slated for October 22 who noted that the livestock sector is faced with various challenges.
Molao indicated that the sector has experienced challenges such as inadequate skills in livestock production, feed shortage during dry seasons or drought, climate change, shortage of water for livestock watering, rangeland degradation; pests and diseases among others.
He stated that government has in response to these challenges reviewed its programs to be transformative, more sustainable and inclusive.
“Through the new Thuo Letlotlo Programme, it is expected that cattle production will be revived and consequently increase the population as well as the population of other livestock that includes among others goats, sheep, poultry, piggery, ostrich, rabbits, apiculture, aquaculture, equine,”Molao said.
He noted that despite the challenges, Botswana has attained both food availability and stability in beef, poultry meat and table eggs. He revealed that in 2022/23 the country produced 69,000 tons of beef, 49,000 tons of poultry meat and 15 million dozens of eggs. He however stated that Botswana still relies on imports to meet its national demand on other commodities like milk, pork, lamb and cheese.
To increase local milk production Molao has indicated that, “government has developed a Dairy Strategy which has seven pillars and among them, Pillar five (5) sets out to ensure the availability of dairy cattle and goats.”
He revealed that government has so far imported 150 dairy goats from Australia to augment the breeding stock. The goats according to him, are used for multiplication and will be accessed by local farmers to improve breeding and milk production and consequently contribute to food security and the need to meet the dietary and nutritional demands of Batswana.
To improve food safety, the minister stated that government has developed standards for the production of sheep and goats, dairy cattle as well as beef and that it has also constructed a multi-species abattoir at Tsabong.
