Tshabong: Small stock plays a pivotal role in the livelihoods of many Batswana, decline in numbers is a cause for concern. Mr Setshwane Kgetse, principal scientific officer at the Department of Animal Production, said sheep and goats were a source of food, non-food commodities and income for the rural population.
Mr Kgetse said in 1995, the population of goats: 2 624 000 and 337 000 for sheep has decline. He added that the 2004 Botswana Agricultural Census Report recorded a decline in the goats population at 817 000 while the population for sheep was at 145 000.
The principal scientific officer said low productivity levels were anticipated due to poor management as in most cases farmers neglected their animals by failing to control the diseases. Other factors were poor nutrition and breeding practices.
Mr Kgetse also said inbreeding and shortage of personnel, transport and communication to assist small stock farmers, also hampered the growth of the sector. He said as a result, the import of lamb and mutton continued to rise adding that in 2007, the imports were estimated at 194 and 42 tons while in 2008 they increased significantly to 307 and 369 tons respectively.
Mr Kgetse said during NDP8, the kidding percentage was at 100 per cent and the target for NDP 9 was 150 per cent but it unfortunately fell to 79 per cent.
As for NDP 10 goals, Mr Kgetse said the Ministry of Agriculture intended to facilitate growth and competitiveness of the agricultural sector within the context of the economy and enhance the farmers capability and willingness to use the resources in a sustainable manner to ensure prudent use and management of the rangeland resources. Mr Kgetse said small stock emphasis was on increasing production and the off-take rate. In NDP8 the off-take rate was eight percent and the target for NDP9 was 30 per cent but there was never an improvement as it continued to record eight percent.
He said among the goals of the NDP 10 was to assist resource poor farmers through the supply of the start-up stock. He called for the commercialization of the small stock industry as in the current situation, most of the farmers kept goats and sheep for subsistence purposes and slaughter during family gatherings and other festivities.
Mr Kgetse undesrcored the need for the formation of a national small stock producers association for the purpose of articulating the interests of its members.
Mr Pesalema Bimbo, a small stock farmer from Makopong advised government to fully support individuals and groups who have shown interest and were already engaged in small stock production in order to meet their targets and to expand the small stock population. Mr Bimbo said it appeared that small stock farmers had been neglected for too long and called for some form of assistance at the level of assistance afforded to the cattle farmers as currently all most of the ranches around the country were owned by such farmers while small stock farmers continued to struggle.
He said the fact that there was no reliable market for small stock had greatly affected the growth of the sector and farmers have resorted to keeping limited and therefore manageable numbers.
Mr Jacobus Jagter of Tsabong said education was vital as it could help the farmers to change their attitude towards small stock production and view it as a profitable business.
He said traditionally Batswana cherished keeping a large herd of goats and sheep and consequently paid little attention to the business side of it. He also said they kept goats and sheep for home consumption and to cater for family rituals.
"All we want from the government is to create a reputable market for small stock farming like it is the case with cattle at the BMC," he said.
