See below for the 2024 agricultural events calendar. Click the Download button for your own copy….

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The Ministry of Entrepreneurship has issued a statement regarding exportation and importation of scheduled key grains as per the PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE CAB 9EXCO/2023 dated 25th April 2023, which restricts the exportation and importation of scheduled key grains (Sorghum and Maize). The directive states that:

1. That there shall be no imports or exports of maize and sorghum grain without permission from the Minister of Entrepreneurship

2. All harvested maize and sorghum by farmers subsidised or supported by Government should be strictly sold to the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) for storage, resale, redistribution, or further processing in the value chain businesses.

3. Trading activities of commercial farmers supported by Government and engaged in production of scheduled grains for food security purposes as well as those operating in areas classified as Special Economic Zones be regulated.

The exportation of the said goods should stop with immediate effect, while the importation of the same must cease at 00:01HRS ON MONDAY 15 MAY 2023.

For Further enquiries contact the Department of Value Chain and Cluster Development on

3631320, mmorapedi@gov.bw or

3631342, clsibanda@gov.bw

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A farmer in Oodi, Botswana, who was recently caught on social media washing vegetables with effluent water has apologized. The farmer, Michael Nhomoinesu, has committed to working with the agriculture office in the district to learn about the set protocol of handling vegetables.

Another farmer, Richard Manger, encouraged farmers to use modern technologies to purify water before watering their plants. The Member of Parliament for Mochudi East, Hon Mabuse Pule, thanked the Minister of Agriculture for visiting the farms and called on government departments to join hands in ensuring that farmers comply with set protocols for the attainment of country food security.

Photos: BOPA

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Ten farmers from across Botswana were gifted with 200 day-old broiler chicks each this morning at the Office of the President, through the support of His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The donation was a result of the 2,000 day-old chicks that President Masisi received last year at the official opening of Irvine’s Feed Mill, popularly known as Irvine’s. The president donated the chicks to ten beneficiaries, who were identified by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister for State President, Hon Kabo Morwaeng commended Irvine’s Botswana for their gesture, which he said is expected to uplift the lives of the beneficiaries. He said the support by Irvine’s Botswana will go a long way in helping ensure that efforts to feed the nation by different young farmers is attained.

The ten beneficiaries were also given 2,100 kilograms of Maxi Value starter feed each, which will help them to feed their chicks for the first six weeks of their lives. This is a critical period for the chicks, as they are growing rapidly and need a high-quality diet to support their development. The Maxi Value starter feed is a high-quality feed that is specifically designed for broiler chicks. It contains all of the nutrients that the chicks need to grow and develop properly.

In addition to the feed, the ten beneficiaries will also receive a one-day broiler training session from Irvine’s. This training will cover a variety of topics, including care for broiler chick, nutrition and how to prevent diseases. For his part, Minister of Agriculture Hon Fidelis Molao, implored the farmers to ensure extensive marketing of their businesses for them to grow and create more sustainable jobs. He said government has approved a strategy to resuscitate small-scale poultry production, where small-scale poultry producers will be clustered, registered as cooperatives, registered with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), and registered for Economic Diversification Drive (EDD). They will then be facilitated to access government tenders through Presidential Directive Cab 27 (A) 2014. Molao said this is done to increase the contribution of small-scale poultry producers to the poultry industry.

Meanwhile, Irvine’s Botswana CEO, Mr Adre Hoffman, revealed that their company continues to support over 5,000 Batswana in businesses as suppliers, the majority of whom are women. He said they are committed to helping small-scale enterprises grow, and as such their donation resonates with the desire to support business and creation of employment.

The small-scale poultry farmers are an important part of the economy, as they provide a source of protein to consumers and create jobs. This donation will therefore go a long way in resuscitating the sub-sector which has been struggling in recent years due to a number of factors, including competition from large-scale poultry producers and the high cost of inputs.

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President Mokgweetsi Masisi has said that Botswana should be a leader in the production of livestock and small genetic material in Africa. He made this statement during the Small Stock Management Day held at Lemunolentshu Ranch this past Saturday.

Dr. Masisi said that government will continue to create an enabling environment that is conducive for Batswana to thrive. He pointed to the improvements that have been made at the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination Centre and the procurement of equipment to produce livestock straws as evidence of government’s commitment.

The President called on farmers to embrace technology in their farming activities. He cited water extraction from the sky through solar at the Lobu Farm in the Kgalagadi District as an example. He noted that government is committed to assisting Batswana to achieve food security, and that this is why they are working to increase access to land. He further said that his government is in the process of engaging landowners with unutilised land for the purpose of redistribution.

“Botswana must be the centre of production of quality meat, whether it is livestock or small stock, and we will bring the first world industry to our farms, including the start-ups,” said President Masisi.

The Small Stock Management Day was organised by the South District Beef Farmers Association and was hosted by the Mohutsiwa Family at their ranch. Held under the theme “Unlocking Value in Small Stock Farming”, the event was intended to empower existing and upcoming farmers with the necessary skills and expertise in small stock management.

The event included topics such as:

• Small stock management
• Small-stock common diseases and treatment
• Small-stock feeding regime
• Breed adaptation
• Market requirements
• Efficacy of livestock guarding dogs

There were also small-stock demonstrations and an auction sale. The event was graced by Minister of Entrepreneurship Karabo Gare, Minister of Agriculture Fidelis Molao, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lemogang Kwape. Also in attendance were Chief Executive Officers of CEDA, LEA, BMC, agriculture industry players, and farmers.

(BOPA)

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Digital agricultural services have proliferated across Africa over the last decade. Most are services that work on mobile phones, although more advanced technologies are in use too – like satellite images, sensors, blockchains and big data analytics.

The services offer access to information, markets and financial products.

Kenya is at the forefront of this development in Africa. The country is home to numerous service providers that seek to solve problems in food and agriculture using digital technologies. In 2020, the GSM Association counted 95 such services in Kenya. This is around twice the number found for instance in Nigeria, the country with the second highest digital agricultural services prevalence in Africa. Providers range from small start-ups to large companies that mainly offer advice, finance and market linkage.

But scaling up these solutions remains a challenge. A study on digital agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa showed that only a few service providers managed to register more than one million users. In Kenya, it’s estimated that only 20% to 30% of farmers use a digital agricultural solution. This is better than other countries in the region – but still low.

In our research, we examined how to support the scaling of digital agricultural services in Kenya. We found that uptake could be increased by building digital bridges in the form of digital platforms that bundle such services for easy access and use. But human bridges are also needed that link service users and providers.

The insights from the research can help service and platform providers design and scale solutions that suit different users. They can also inform policies and investments needed to create the conditions for scaling these services.

What we did

We conducted a survey of 758 likely users of hypothetical digital platforms that would aggregate digital agricultural services in Kenya. All the potential users had access to the internet or basic data connectivity. Respondents were contacted via relevant Facebook groups and invited to complete the survey online.

A second in-person survey shed light on how agricultural intermediaries in Kenyan value chains use digital technologies in their work. These included 296 input dealers, output dealers and extension agents. Our research offers the first comprehensive study of the digital capabilities of agricultural intermediaries. More commonly, studies focus on agricultural producers.

What we found

Our research showed that likely users would see value in aggregator platforms if they made digital agricultural services easier to find and assured their quality. They would also like platforms to be open to a wide range of value chain actors with diverse levels of digital skills. Our findings also highlighted that human interaction still matters. It should complement digitally enabled contacts and transactions.

Aggregator platforms can help scale up digital agricultural solutions in a number of ways:

Accessibility and usability: The platforms could make digital agricultural services easier to locate and use. This would help users navigate the often confusing array of services on offer. For instance, platforms could provide a one-stop shop for a diverse range of services that are easily searchable and only require a single registration and payment system. They would need to be usable with different types of digital technologies and skills.

Value enhancement and trust building: Aggregator platforms would be valuable if they could guarantee the quality and reliability of digital agricultural services. This would build trust in the services. They could do so, for instance, by setting, monitoring and enforcing quality standards for participating service providers or introducing user rating systems.

Human intermediaries could also play an important role in building trust.

Inclusivity: Users would like aggregator platforms to include a wide range of value chains and actors. Through their networks, intermediaries could get more actors to use aggregator platforms.

Of course, aggregator platforms don’t offer all the answers to scaling digital agricultural solutions. They would need a supportive policy environment. But there are gaps. These include:

• Insufficient digital skills. This needs to be addressed by integrating related training at all levels of education.
• Poor technology infrastructure. This would require expanding access to high-speed mobile networks, affordable smartphones and reliable electricity, particularly in rural areas.

The way forward

Various factors have contributed to Kenya’s leadership role in digital agriculture in Africa. Mobile network infrastructure expanded early on, supported by government policies which attracted the necessary investments and fostered competition.

Digital business development was largely driven by dedicated individuals, innovation hubs and so-called angel investors. Together they created a conducive innovation environment for local start-ups developing digital solutions for a technology-savvy customer base of relatively well-educated users.

The widespread adoption of M-Pesa also played an important role. It facilitated the provision of digital agricultural services that require financial transactions.

The country needs to build on these successes. The digital transformation of Kenya’s agriculture will become a reality if it can link viable digital solutions providers with potential beneficiaries. That requires digital bridges connecting diverse services and users. But it will also require human bridges to narrow the technological and skill gaps, to build trust in service provision and to reach those who are not yet connected.

Aggregator platforms that integrate agricultural intermediaries into their design are one avenue for building such bridges. This will happen if they understand the different demands and capacities of their users. The design and marketing of digital agricultural services will have to match users’ needs and abilities. Similarly, public and private investments in skills, infrastructure and the business environment are crucial for such platforms to fulfil their potential.

This article is republished from The Conversation 

Photo: PEXELS

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Dog breeding has emerged as a lucrative business in Botswana, with a growing number of individuals entering the field. Among them is Phineas Nanguvei Kukuri, a teacher hailing from Mahalapye and popularly known as Felix. Kukuri specializes in boerboel breeding and he was privileged to organize the Appraisal on behalf of the South African Boerboel Breeders Society (SABBS) in Palapye, Botswana recently.

Farmers Review’s lead reporter, Kedidimetse vander Westhuizen had a chat with Kukuri, who operates under the business name Briphin Boerboels – ‘Where breeding is a passion,’ at the event.

Briefly tell us about your journey in the boerboels breeding…. 

In 2015, shortly after my wife Bridget and I got married, we received a boerboel as a gift from my brother Oteng Ramatlapeng. Looking to supplement our income, we began breeding with unregistered dogs and sought guidance from established breeders in the industry. However, in our first year, we faced a setback when our female puppy, Zoe, succumbed to Parvo Virus due to our lack of experience in providing necessary vaccinations.

Undeterred, we continued breeding until 2017 when we acquired our first male puppy from a popular Sire, Cabaret Labamba, owned by the late Gary Moroka of Territorial Kennels. We also had the privilege of learning from Boerboel breeding expert Mr. D. Ntsime, who provided valuable lessons on puppy care.

In 2018, we purchased another boerboel from South Africa through a local importer, and in 2019, Briphin Boerboels was born. Months later, we had our first litter of puppies from registered parents – an unforgettable experience.

While we faced the loss of several beautiful puppies and dogs along the way, we persevered with faith in God’s guidance for a better tomorrow.

When did you start?

We started breeding in 2015.

Was it self-funded?

Yes, our kennel is self-funded with the little money we had and sacrifices we made to get through, despite the financial constraints.

Where are you based?

Mahalapye

How is the K9 industry in Botswana and what measures are you employing to take the dogs to the people?

I can confidently say that Batswana have embraced the idea of owning a dog, which is supported by the fact that many keep them in their homes. Through media, we invite them to attend events such as shows and appraisals, where they can interact with these affectionate yet strong giants.

What factors led to you starting a kennel? 

Several factors motivated the start of our kennel:

• We wanted to beef-up our low income at the time.
• We had also fallen in love with this intelligent, relational and territorial breed which would now act as our security.

Where do you source your dogs? 

• Botswana 
• South Africa 

Which are your best breeding seasons and why?

We prefer the winter season because it’s not too hot for puppies, and the chances of bacterial infections are generally lower. Additionally, there is a relatively low mortality rate in winter

Who are your key customers and how often do you supply, in what quantities? 

Our customers come from all over, including Maun, Tutume, Gaborone, and our local area. The furthest we have sent a puppy to is Accra, Ghana, and we hope to reach out to more places, God willing. In a year, we typically have around three litters (sets of puppies) with an average of 12 puppies per litter.

How do you thrive in such a competitive K9 industry, given that the South has an influx of boerboel breeders?

Over the years, we have focused on packaging our product by ensuring that our puppies and dogs are well taken care of before they go to their new homes. We continue to support their new owners on how to look after them until they are at a stage where they can comfortably do it on their own.

With the help of social media platforms, interactions, and our commitment to producing quality dogs, we believe we can take Briphin Boerboels’ image to another level.

What are your plans for the future?

We are looking forward to producing well balanced puppies with characteristics that conform to SABBS breeding Standards, an international body responsible for promoting the breeding and genetic improvement of the Boerboel breed the world over. 

Tell us about appraisals!! 

Last weekend, we held a SABBS appraisal and show at Little Paws Tea Gardens in Palapye, where a total of 47 dogs were appraised. An appraisal is a process where an Appraiser assesses a dog’s performance against the agreed breed standards by SABBS and awards a score.

The score should not be less than 75% for the dog to be used for breeding purposes. Additionally, we held a show where dogs competed in their age categories or classes, such as 7 weeks-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, etc.

The winners were awarded medals and dog food hampers. During the show, Appraiser consider the general appearance, temperament, coat, height, and other factors.

Why is there a need for Appraisals?

The need for appraisals stems from the importance of ensuring that dogs bred are of high quality and meet the desired breed standard. Without appraisals, there would be no way of determining the genetic qualities of a dog that would potentially be used for breeding purposes, leading to potential problems down the line.

Through appraisals, the dogs are assessed and scored by experienced appraisers or Appraisers who evaluate their conformation, temperament, and overall performance. This allows breeders to make informed decisions about which dogs to breed and which ones to cull. Appraisals also provide a means of tracking the progress of the breeding program, identifying areas of weakness, and making adjustments as necessary to improve the overall quality of the dogs.

In Botswana, there has been a significant improvement in the standard of breeding, and appraisals have played a crucial role in this. By ensuring that only dogs that meet the breed standard are used for breeding purposes, breeders have been able to produce high-quality dogs that are healthy, robust, and conform to the desired breed characteristics. This has not only improved the quality of the dogs but has also enhanced their reputation both locally and internationally. Overall, appraisals are an essential tool for any serious breeder who wants to produce top-quality dogs and maintain the integrity of the breed.

How often do you hold them?

According to SABBS year Planner, Botswana has been allocated 2 slots:

• March/April (Palapye)
• August (Gaborone). 

Who is eligible to participate?

A 12 Months and above dog with a Birth certificate, microchip, whose parents’ DNA profiles are captured on the SABBS database. 

What can you say to someone aspiring to go into dog breeding?

In addition to doing thorough research and bringing passion to dog breeding, there are a few other things that I would advise someone aspiring to go into dog breeding.

First, it’s important to prioritize the health and well-being of the dogs above all else. This means providing proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care, as well as ensuring that the breeding environment is clean and safe. Neglecting the health of the dogs can result in sickly puppies or even legal issues if animal welfare laws are not adhered to.

Secondly, it’s important to consider the ethical implications of breeding. One should only breed dogs that meet breed standards and have passed health screenings, as breeding dogs with known health issues can perpetuate those issues in future generations. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the puppies will have loving homes and won’t contribute to the overpopulation of dogs in shelters. This can be achieved by thoroughly screening potential buyers and being willing to take back a dog if the new owner is unable to care for it.

It’s important to network and learn from experienced breeders. Joining local or national breed clubs, attending dog shows and seminars, and seeking mentorship from established breeders can provide valuable insights into the industry and help new breeders avoid common pitfalls.

‘Sedibeng go iwa ka tsela’: no short cuts in breeding. Do the right things, the right way. 

Most importantly, do not be deceived! A Boerboel should be microchipped and have a birth notification certificate (in simple terms, a family tree) showing lineage up to 4 generations back. Lastly, the dog should be DNA profiled through SABBS/Unistel.

Any last words of encouragement? 

The words of encouragement I have for anyone considering owning a boerboel is that it can be an excellent addition to your family. However, it’s important to understand that owning a dog, especially a large and powerful breed like a boerboel, comes with great responsibility. Before making the decision to own a boerboel, it’s crucial to research and understand the breed’s needs, temperament, and potential challenges.

As mentioned earlier, boerboels are known for their loyalty, protectiveness, and love for their families, but they can also be wary of strangers. Therefore, early socialization and training are crucial to ensure they are well-adjusted and friendly towards people and other animals.

Lastly, I want to emphasize the importance of proper care for boerboels. This includes regular veterinary check-ups, updated vaccinations, proper nutrition, parasite prevention, and access to clean water. With the right care, boerboels can live long and healthy lives and be wonderful companions to their families.

In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude to SABBS for their appraisal exercise, Montego Pet Nutrition for their support, and the public for their attendance at events. To all boerboel breeders and owners in Botswana, I urge you to continue providing the best possible care for your dogs, as it is crucial for their health and well-being

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^{By Kedidimetse van der Westhuizen}

Women across the globe are making significant strides in the agricultural sector, and their contributions are being recognized as crucial to the development of the industry. For a long time, women were marginalized in professional work in the sector, and their contributions were deemed to be of a subsistence nature. However, this narrative is slowly changing, and women are actively involved in various agricultural activities, thanks to many resources being availed to them to assist them in this regard.

African Women Farmers Allies (AFWA) is one such organization that is championing women’s leadership in agriculture. According to Nteba Sentsho, AFWA’s co-founder, the movement focuses on assisting women with several issues, including assistance with application for finance, agriculture, climate change, smart energy, health and wellness, education, and technology. Sentsho emphasized that agriculture is an important engine of growth and poverty reduction in many communities, and women are champions in spearheading food security in households and ultimately nations.

Sentsho further explained that AFWA seeks to visualize the role of women in agriculture, adding that the agricultural sector is underperforming in many countries because women, who are often a crucial resource in agriculture and the rural economy, face constraints that reduce their productivity.

“AFWA is committed to uniting women and ensuring that we do not work in silos but in unity to feed the nations. Children of the North, South, West, and East need women to stand in the forefront to ensure food security,” she added.

AFWA’s network is expanding rapidly, with networks already established in five countries. The organization is committed to bringing together women from different agricultural backgrounds to create a united front that will ensure food security across the continent. Recently, the network launched in Botswana and celebrated Women’s Day with a picnic where women from different agricultural denominations came together to share experiences, network, and empower each other.

The event was a great success, with women from Lesotho also attending to show their support. The picnic was a platform for women to discuss their challenges and brainstorm ideas on how to overcome them. The women were encouraged to share their stories and learn from each other’s experiences.

AFWA plans to continue expanding its network, creating more opportunities for women to come together and share their knowledge and expertise. Through these networks, AFWA hopes to empower women to become leaders in agriculture and create a sustainable future for generations to come. Additionally, AFWA aims to provide women with discounted or free industry resources and publications to help them grow their businesses and thrive in the agricultural sector.

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On Friday evening, 31st March, the “Diamond Fire Sale” auction commenced at 1800hrs and proved to be an enormous success. The auction consisted of a total of six farmers, five of whom were goat breeders, and one was a sheep breeder. The participating farmers were Bushra Kalahari Red and Boergoat Stud, Hennie Schutte Dorpers, Johannes Mokoka Boer Goats, OGS Stud, Lebonesang Stud, and RedBoer Stud. In total, there were 68 lots available for sale.

Held at Stockman’s Choice farm in Tlokweng, the auction drew an unprecedented number of local bidders, as well as 43 online buyers who registered via CDP Auctioneers from various countries including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Egypt and South Africa. The event proved to be a huge success, with a total of P1.4 million in sales, including two new Botswana records achieved by Bushra Stud and Hennie Schutte Dorpers.

The sale of Lot 35 from Bushra Stud broke the record for the highest-priced Kalahari Red buck ever sold in Botswana, fetching P70,000. The buyer, Joseph Khumo of Khumo Boer Goats, acquired the buck, which is also the third highest-priced Kalahari Red buck ever sold from Botswana. Meanwhile, Hennie Schutte Dorpers set a new Botswana record for the highest-priced Dorper ewe with the sale of Lot 4 for P31,000 to Gold Star Goat Stud. In addition, Bushra Stud made history by selling Lot 7, the first small stock animal ever exported from Botswana to Zambia, for P40,000 to Mutanda Farms through an online bid.

According to the event organizers, they learned many lessons from the first Diamond Fire Sale held in 2021. Since then, they have been working tirelessly to prepare for an even bigger and better auction this year. And they are pleased to say that they have delivered exactly that!

The success of The Diamond Fire Sale is a testament to the fact that local breeders can make a significant impact in their field. By working together, these breeders have demonstrated their commitment to supporting each other and growing their businesses as a community.

One of the farmers noted that this collaboration reflects the true meaning of community and demonstrates the positive outcomes that can result from good, honest values and business practices. It is clear that this success is just the beginning for these enterprising breeders.

Faheem Kala of Bushra Stud initiated The Diamond Fire Sale as a platform for young Batswana small stock breeders who are both customers and peers of Bushra Stud and breed out of Bushra genetics. The aim was to empower all breeders to benefit mutually from increased exposure through a dedicated platform to market their animals while fostering a healthy competition that would inspire them to grow and thrive together. As a result, this would lead to greater investment and diversification in the remarkable genetics found throughout Botswana, which would help expand the industry’s capacity to compete throughout the region.

The lead organizer of the event, Faheem Kala from Bushra Stud, stated that the breeders and partners came together as peers and have supported each other over the years. Through this collaboration, they have gained mutual benefits from shared knowledge and support.

Faheem further elaborated that when ethics, good intentions, honest ambition, and camaraderie are combined, there is nothing that the community of breeders cannot achieve together. He expressed his gratitude to the buyers, bidders, sponsors, supporters, and the auctioneers, Stockman’s Choice and CDP Auctioneers, who have provided unwavering support. The speaker acknowledged that their support has been instrumental in expanding the platform and fostering growth within the small stock farming community.

The sponsors of the Diamond Fire Sale were key players within the agriculture industry who share a deep passion for advancing Botswana’s small stock industry. These included Integrated Veterinary Services (IVS), Agrifeed, Supa Feeds, Desh Feed Corner, Solahart Botswana, and Majestic Court Hotel.

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The imposition of a long-term ban on some agricultural products from other countries in December 2021 will probably go down as one of the most unpopular decisions of the Masisi administration.

Through the decision, one of the boldest Botswana has taken in the quest to become self-determining, as food security is at the heart of self-reliance, the nation will surely realise the truest meaning of the idiom; montsamaisa bosigo ke mo leboga bosele.

The ban was imposed to drive local production, reduce reliance on other countries for food and to claw away at the staggering P7 billion food import bill...
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It was also a deliberate move by the government to make remarkable strides in transforming the agricultural sector, whose mandate is to improve food security; champion agricultural development through local production; diversify the sector’s value chains; create employment and promote consumption of local foodstuffs.

President Masisi’s administration promised that the ban, which started with 16 vegetables, would be reviewed every year – not in any way to relax it, but to add more products to the list.

The development has also seen government, through the Ministry of Agriculture’s Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) introduce the Horticulture Impact Accelerator Subsidy (IAS) fund to assist farmers increase production levels of horticultural products.

The subsidy is also geared towards provision of production structures, inputs and promotion of protected cultivation as well as use of green technology in farms, in addition to employment creation. Further, government allocated the National Development Bank (NDB) P600 million under the Industry Support Fund (ISF), to stabilize businesses that faced the COVID-19 pandemic effects, by lending out to sectors such as agriculture, tourism and general industry.

BOPA

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