Farmers are heeding advice from experts amid a looming severe drought, opting to sell their cattle in large numbers to mitigate potential losses in both livestock and horticulture produce.
Dr. Kebitselepe Motsele, Principal Scientific Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, has emphasised the need for farmers to reduce their livestock numbers in preparation for the anticipated drought peak. He urged them to take advantage of the current optimal condition of their livestock to avoid mass mortality resulting from the drought.
Motsele pointed out the challenges posed by climate change and the vulnerability to drought, advising farmers to capitalise on the current favourable conditions to sell their cattle in bulk. This proactive approach, he noted, would help them avoid selling at lower prices during the height of the drought.
Andrew Seeletso, spokesperson for the Botswana National Beef Producers Union (BNBPU), expressed support for the initiative to sell cattle in large numbers. However, he voiced concerns about the significant drop in cattle prices. Despite this, Seeletso encouraged farmers to sell their aging cattle to the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) to minimise losses when the drought strikes.
Acknowledging government support, Seeletso appreciated the subsidy in place to assist farmers during this challenging period. He highlighted the declining cattle prices in recent weeks, emphasising the need for farmers to act swiftly before prices plummet further in the midst of the drought.
In response to the looming drought, the government announced several measures to support farmers, including a 30% feed subsidy for livestock and non-traditional commodities, as well as subsidies for acaricides and antibiotics. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance will provide partial payment of seasonal loans to farmers who received loans from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Agency (CEDA) and National Development Bank (NDB).
The severity of past droughts was highlighted, with Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Oreeditse Molebatsi, noting significant cattle mortality rates and losses to the livestock industry. He emphasised the challenge of controlling stocking rates in communal areas, where the majority of cattle are kept.
