Sheep Breeders Meet

Sheep breeders have been advised to take farming seriously as agriculture has become more viable for entrepreneurs. Speaking during the Sheep Breeders Association (SBA) workshop this past weekend, National Development Bank chief operations officer, Samuel Mothibi, advised farmers to assume the best practices to enhance productivity in farming.

He said farmers should be equipped to measure efficiency. Mothibi said agriculture has become viable to the youth as many of them are venturing into it. “Commendable numbers are joining agriculture. But we should know it is a rugged job, not for the faint-hearted,” he said.

He said workshops are needed to empower more farmers to enhance productivity at farm level. He said people should not treat farming as a hobby but a job that has a meaningful contribution to the economy. He said more needs to be done to equip farmers as most of them do not have the skill but doing it out of passion and love. “With adequate training and necessary investment, we will export and create employment,” he added. Mothibi explained that agriculture currently contributes two percent to the GDP despite many households surviving on it. He said the numbers are a true reflection of an agric sector that is disorganised. He said an organisation such as Sheep Breeders Association would help to improve efficiency in farming. Botswana SBA, chairperson Aobakwe Gofamodimo, said local farmers are unable to satisfy the market. He said this is because most farmers are unskilled and do not understand breeding. He said the association has been established to close the education gap, as it would organise forums to empower members. He said they are planning to have an agric summit every year before the Agric Show to educate farmers on agriculture business.

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