Texan cattle transportation cost gov't P8.6m
Mompati Tlhankane | Tuesday August 1, 2023 06:00
Responding to a question in Parliament on Friday, Minister of Agriculture Fidelis Molao said the total shipping costs of cattle from the USA to Botswana is P8.6 million while the transportation cost from Gaborone to Ramatlabama was P212,803.80. Ramatlabama National AI Laboratory is now home to the 141 bulls and 21 heifers bought by government in May. Molao was responding to a question from Ngami legislator, Caterpillar Hikuama who had asked amongst others about the total cost of imported cattle from the USA.
“In order to improve the national herd and its genetic merit, government invested in the procurement of breeding cattle for purposes of semen and embryo production. The average price of bulls was P95,000.
The prices varied from a minimum of P42,000 to P133,000. The total cost for the 141 bulls was P13.3 million. The cost of heifers was P80,500 each and 21 heifers cost P 1.6 million. This made up a total of P 15 million,” the minister told Parly. He also pointed out that the mortality insurance cost was 2.5 percent of the total cost of the consignment which translates to P593,134.22. In response to Hikuama’s question about the cost for the security of animals in Ramatlabama both government and private per week, Molao indicated that the process of engaging private security at Ramatlabama is ongoing and that currently, state security is offering the security service.
As for the feeding costs for the animals and medicines, Molao said at the moment, the Department of Animal Production has a framework contract with the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board for the constant supply of feed and medicines. “So far, the cost of medicines used is P103,650.63. The department has further procured feed amounting to P372,174.38,” he further revealed.
The purchase of the live cattle in May sparked controversial debates across the national divide, but President Mokgweetsi Masisi defended the acquisition and gave himself a pat on the back for a job well done. “Government has invested P25 million in procuring these live breeding cattle from the world's renowned breeders. This initiative is in line with the government’s Reset Agenda to revive the livestock sub-sector and ensure value chain development within the sector,” Masisi said when he received the castle at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
He revealed then that before the arrival of the animals, a team of experts travelled to the United States of America to select the best animal genetics based on the physical soundness and progeny differences.
“I want to assure you that these animals are elite, of superior genetics, and will adapt well to our environment as they are from a state in the US that has almost similar climatic conditions to that of Botswana,” Masisi emphasised. He added the importation was part of government’s plan to increase Botswana’s livestock herd and position the country as an advanced animal reproductive technologies centre.