This week marked the birth of the Milk Afric Dairy Project now rebranded as Milk Valley Farm, a P70 million dairy project by the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), that aims to transform Botswana’s reliance on imported milk into a thing of the past. With the initial stock of 270 dairy cows, the farm aims to increase its herd to 2,000, producing an estimated 18 million litres of milk annually.
This would satisfy around 29% of Botswana’s milk demand, an improvement given that only 15% of local milk needs are currently met by domestic producers. The bulk of the country’s milk, around 85%, still comes from imports. Caretaker CEO of Milk Valley Farm, Botshelo Mokotedi, explained that the project’s long-term success hinges on efficiency and modern farming techniques. “We are focusing on advanced methods such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer, which allow us to scale production whilst maintaining quality,” Mokotedi said. The launch of Milk Valley comes at a critical time as the country’s leaders have called for more self-reliance in key industries, including agriculture. Minister of Trade and Industry Mmusi Kgafela, who officiated at the event, pointed out the pressing need to boost local production in the dairy sector. “It is unsustainable that we continue to import 85% of our milk. Projects like Milk Valley Farm are essential if we are to move towards self-sufficiency,” Kgafela remarked during his address. The project’s scale goes beyond just milk production. According to Mokotedi, more than 215 jobs will be created as the farm reaches full operational capacity. “This is not just about producing milk, but also about creating employment and economic opportunities for the region,” he said. The farm is expected to become a hub for local farmers, with plans to establish partnerships that will allow smaller producers to benefit from its resources and infrastructure.
