Haina Veld farmers in Ngamiland are beaming with happiness at the prospect of being able to sell their cattle to the lucrative European Union market, after the completion of a multi million Pula cordon fence that will separate the farms with communal grazing areas.
The farmers say erection of the fence was a welcome move on the part of government as it would enable them to sell their cattle to the lucrative EU market and make cattle farming a profitable venture in Botswana.
“We have been waiting for this for years, I am very happy about it,” said Baabedi Nkemelang, one of the farmers.
“I don’t understand why it took government so long to come up with this idea. At least the fence has now been erected. I am happy,” he said.
Another farmer in the same area, Ledule Mogalakwe, says that the cordon fence will restore interest in farming as farmers are now assured that they will be able to sell their cattle to the EU market.
“All I can say is thank you to government for the brilliant idea,” he said.
The cordon fence is amongst other things expected to increase the number of cattle available for EU market in the country. But there are challenges as the fence is at risk of destruction by elephants. Some communal farmers have also complained that the fence has taken over their grazing land.
