Boosting Cattle Production: Government Reaffirms Support for Farmers in Okavango District
Gaborone, Botswana — In a significant update on agricultural initiatives, the government announced that since 2019, 591 farmers in the Okavango District have gained access to artificial insemination services through the Nokaneng Artificial Insemination Camp. This announcement was made during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, where Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Baratiwa Mathoothe, spoke on behalf of the acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture.
Mr. Mathoothe acknowledged the challenges posed by the vastness of the Okavango District, which limits farmers’ access to these crucial services. To address this issue, the ministry is exploring the use of part of the Kgomokgwana Quarantine Camp as an additional site for artificial insemination services, contingent on available funding.
Despite facing difficulties, including damage from wildlife, the government remains committed to maintaining the Nokaneng AI Camp. Mathoothe emphasized the importance of these services in supporting local livestock farmers and highlighted the potential for the Okavango region to significantly contribute to Botswana’s agricultural economy.
“I foresee a meaningful contribution from the Okavango region toward President Advocate Duma Boko’s vision of increasing the national cattle population to five million,” he stated. This ambitious target underscores the government’s commitment to boost livestock production and agricultural viability.
In line with this vision, the ministry is implementing multiple initiatives specifically aimed at enhancing livestock livelihoods in the Okavango region. One such initiative is the A-Di-Tsale program, which promotes on-farm artificial insemination to improve cattle reproduction and genetics. This program is designed to bolster reproductive efficiency and encourage private sector involvement in livestock services.
Moreover, the Okavango District is a participant in the Herding 4 Health (H4H) project, backed by the Communities Living Amongst Wildlife Sustainably (CLAWS) program. This initiative aims to promote sustainable livestock management practices, minimize human-wildlife conflict, and enhance the health of rangelands.
Through these concerted efforts, the government aims to improve community livelihoods by facilitating better market access for beef production, decreasing livestock diseases, and enhancing the quality of rangelands. Additionally, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is supporting a massive US$98 million project, with government co-financing of US$54 million and a GCF grant of US$44 million. This initiative focuses on restoring and managing communal rangelands, particularly in the Okavango, Kgalagadi, and Bobirwa regions.
Further elaborating on the project, Mr. Mathoothe noted that it was launched in May 2025 by the President and is being executed by Conservation International alongside the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture. The collaboration aims to complement the existing H4H program, ensuring a holistic approach to livestock management in the region.
In efforts to strengthen market access and stimulate production, the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) has introduced the Direct Cattle Procurement Scheme, targeting regions like Okavango and North West. This initiative is expected to encourage local farmers to engage more actively in the cattle market.
During the parliamentary discussion, Okavango West legislator, Mr. Kenny Kapinga, raised concerns about the lack of access to artificial insemination services for cattle farmers in the district. He questioned whether the government had demonstrated a sufficient commitment to ensuring that farmers could fully benefit from these available services.
Mr. Kapinga’s inquiry pointed to a broader concern regarding the government’s ability to achieve its goals of increasing the national cattle population in the absence of efficient access to artificial insemination.
As the government rolls out these initiatives, local farmers remain hopeful that these changes will not only assist individual livelihoods but also contribute significantly to Botswana’s agricultural landscape.
— Reported by Nexio News
