Larona Maswikila: A thriving young farmer
Zolani Kraai | Friday September 1, 2017 14:44
The story of a 30-year-old man, or Larry as he is affectionately known by those close to him, is a masterpiece of how many youths in Botswana could persevere by utilising to the fullest, opportunities that are offered by government. One of the programmes aimed at empowering Batswana, especially the youth is housed under the Citizen Entrepreneur Development Agency (CEDA).
Maswikila, the product of Youth Development Fund, runs a farm stud Brahmans in the Tuli Block under the name of Rocky Creek Brahmans. The youthful Selibe-Phikwe born farmer says him and his siblings grew up knowing that farming was a significant part of the family.
Larry says his parents inspired him into farming. Larry says when the schools closed they used to go the farm and he was introduced to the cattle farming by his late father.
Academically, Larry schooled at Selibe-Phikwe secondary and there after went to the University of Botswana for Bachelor of Science later getting transferred to University of Leeds to study degree in Chemical and Mineral Engineering.
He explains he had always wanted to work in the mine hence his engineering studies.
“My chemical and engineering certificate is an insurance but farming has always been a higher calling for me,” he says.
Maswikila narrates how he started venturing into farming. He is registered with the South African Brahmans Association, and has been farming Brahmans for years.
“I was able to get funding from CEDA in October 2012, of over a P1million, and I purchased my first brahmans from South Africa, with the first stock arriving in March 2013, I purchased 45 females and a single bull, and semen from renowned stud breeders Hunt Brahmans and Sackie Hasbrook.
“We went further to purchase semen from the United Stated and we were looking for bulls that we knew their performance and had seen their offspring claves. We purchased semen from about 10 bulls and that is the one we are currently using.”
Maswikila says they are currently using artificial insemination, as it is difficult to purchase bulls more often. Hesays his farms breeding is divided into three seasons. First, they use bulls that they buy, then the bulls that they breed on the farm and then Artificial Insemination (AI), as a way of introducing new genetics in his 1200 hectare, obviously those that he cannot afford to buy freehold farm.
Though he has a small commercial herd but he is more to observing what other genetics are performing. For his commercial herd, he crosses Tswana with white and red Brahmans.
As to whether he has tried Mosu cow, he says he is skeptic using it because of the way it is developed. He says there is just too many influence from a lot of synthetic breeds in the Mosu breed.
To the youth, which ever sector be it crop production, small stock, it has be what you want, because at the end of day, for you to be able to make extra money, when it comes to farming, you will have to have passion.
Maswikila shared that it takes a lot of commitment and money to invest on farming you will make and reap profits.
With CEDA, he says the relationship with the funding agency is healthy although there were challenges along way. He appreciated his mentor in assisting to kick start farming.
“There have been challenges with CEDA especially with regard to when was the time to market and eventually sell for profit to pay back loans,” Maswikila shared. He said breeding stud herd as compared to commercial cattle is expensive and it takes some time to make the financier to understand the management techniques.
“Marketing is another aspect as they did not understanding when is the right time to market and that would put me under pressure, from the financier to raise funds to pay back,” he said. Maswikila says though he has experienced some challenges he is however optimistic that in five years he would have cleared the current CEDA loan.
“Once he cleas the current loan he plans to apply for another one to expand the herd to red Brahmans so as to diversify the gene pool that he has.
He said on average they are getting about 40-60 calves per year in terms of conception and winning rate.
At the recently held Serowe Agricultural Show, Maswikila competed in the Bos indicus senior bull two tooth and zero tooth and the senior they got second zero tooth heifer they got secondplace and for the zero tooth bull they got forth and fifth place.
“It is very interesting when you compete at the shows because at the end of day you see where you got it right and where to improve,”
“I was excited to have met the President and I had an opportunity to tell him what I envisage in the future. I want to breed animals that can compete with other animals anywhere in Botswana,” Maswikila said.