June Agrinews 2012-13.indd - Ministry of Agriculture

Volume 42, No. 06 June 2012 

EAR TAG 

replaces Bolus 

Namibia benchmarks 

in Botswana

June 2012

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW 

Transforming Agriculture In The Wake Of Climate Change 

NEW AGRICULTURAL SHOW GROUND - Sebele 

2 August - 1 September 2012 

For more information call 3689115 


AGRINEWS 

June 

2012 

Contents 

New sorghum hybrid 

Twin calves in Mahalapye sudistrict 

Vermicompost - the way to go 

Going strong since 1969 

Cluster fencing enhances production 

Namibia benchmarks in Botswana 

Electronic and Analogue eartag 

2 

4 

5 

6 

8 

10 

16 

Lopang - Simmental beef breeder 

MITC merges with BCA 

12 

13 

8 

Aphids & low rains hinders growth of 

beans in Gantsi 

LIMID transforms widow’s life 

How to become a successful farmer 

14 

16 

17 

10 

2 

Vacant 

Editor: 

Moreri Moesi 

Reporters: 

France Begensel 

Segomotso Basuti 

Keamogetse Boitshepo 

Kesogofetse Tawele 

Mokgarebe Motswakhumo 

Esther Nkgwang 

Modiegi Madumetsa 

Khutsafalo Maabong 

Keabetswe Molebatsi 

Designer: 

Moreri Modipe 

Head Of Photography 

Henry Toto 

Photographers: 

Pius Nkunda 

Aggripah Willie

FOUNDATION 

PILLARS 

editor’s note 

VISION 

Attain national food security 

and global competitiveness 

in agricultural products 

FARMERS MUST RUN AGRICULTURAL SHOWS 

MISSION 

To improve agricultural productivity 

through technology development 

and transfer, diversification and 

commercialization, in order 

to promote food security in 

partnership with our stakeholders. 

VALUES 

1. BOTHO 

We treat our customers in 

a respectable and caring manner. 

2. TEAM WORK 

We recognize the need to work as 

a team characterized by collective 

effort, trust, understanding, 

support and perseverance 

irrespective of rank or gender. 

3. CUSTOMER FOCUSED 

Our customers are the focus 

of everything we do by being 

courteous, caring, compassionate, 

tolerant and empathetic. 

4. INNOVATIVE 

We commit to employ new ideas 

and being proactive in order to 

match the requirements of the 

future. 

5. INTEGRITY 

We foster a culture of transparency, 

accountability and dependability. 

No country can afford to produce 

enough food without the full 

participation of its citizens. 

Many at times, some people 

believe that the government 

alone must do everything for 

them every time. 

Governments throughout the 

world do certain things to uplift 

the living standard of their 

citizen. In other words, such 

assistance has to cease at some 

pointing time. The stoppage 

of that assistance can occur 

depending on the prevailing 

circumstances of the time. 

One example where the 

government, through the 

Ministry of Agriculture has been 

providing valuable assistance is 

the agricultural shows. 

Every year, ministry officials 

always lead the preparation for 

such shows. In some areas, the 

number of government officials 

in the show committees even 

exceed that of farmers. 

However, it should be noted that 

ministry officials should instead 

advise such show committees. 

How long will this continue? 

This is the question to the 

farmers of this country. One is 

tempted to cite as an exception, 

the Ghanzi Agricultural show 

which is now a brand. 

It is a brand because the captains 

of the farming industry are in the 

forefront. Government officials 

only advise the committee. This 

is the secret of Ghanzi show. 

Therefore, Agrinews makes 

this clarion call to farmers and 

the business community of 

this country that the time is 

now. Farmers must take over 

the running of the shows 

and move towards their 

commercialization. 

However, the farmers cannot 

manage without the involvement 

of the private sector. We are 

therefore calling on the private 

sector to partner with farmers 

and make agricultural shows 

a darling for Batswana and the 

rest of the world. 

i

Article: K esegofetse Tawele 

Photos: Aggripah Willie 

Ploughing of sorghum started in 

Africa. It is the staple food of 

most African countries, but over 

the years most farmers in Botswana 

have abandoned this crop and have 

resorted to ploughing maize. In the 

past few years, the Department of 

Agricultural Research, Ministry of 

Agriculture developed a new breed of 

sorghum, Botswana Sorghum Hybrid 

1 (BSH1). BSH1 was developed 

to answer farmers’ plight of the 

challenges faced with the current 

varieties of sorghum. They are unable 

to resist the current unpredictable and 

changing climatic conditions. 

BSH1 was the first hybrid the 

department developed in 2007. It does 

well under the current conditions. It has 

proved to be better in yield potential 

than the traditional varieties used by 

most farmers. For example, it has a 

yield potential of 3.0 to 6.0 tonnes per 

hectare that is approximately 120 bags 

per hectare, compared to Segaolane 

cultivar which has a yield potential of 

1.0 to 3.5 tonnes per hectare. BSH1 

reaches maturity in 120 to 130 days. 

The development of the new hybrid 

of sorghum together with BSH1 will 

further answer the farmers’ plight 

of low yields due to the unreliable 

rainfall the country is experiencing. 

These crops are mule crops; that is 

they cannot be replanted (harvested 

seeds cannot be stored for replanting 

in the coming season as it is usually 

done with the traditional cultivars). 

The seeds harvested by the farmer are 

solely for consumption only. 

Dr Steven Chite, the breeder in 

the Department of Agricultural 

Research explained that the mule 

crop has two parents which are 

planted side by side and 

then cross pollination 

occurs resulting in 

a hybrid. The yet to 

be named hybrid 

crop has different 

characteristics to 

traditional crops like 

Segaolane, Mahube, 

Marupaantse, 

Sephala and even 

BSH1 in that it is 

tan, some crops 

when wounded or 

attacked by mites 

(diboko) they develop 

a red powder in their 

stem (mogwang) which 

ultimately stain the meal, 

whereas the new crop 

remain white ensuring 

white meal at all times. Its 

stem stays green until harvest, 

while other crops dry up and 

turn brownish when they reach 

full maturity. Moreover, it has 

short segments which make its 

height conducive for both hand and 

machine harvesting. 

The new crop proves to have more 

yield potential because one plant 

produces about seven heads (diphara). 

It has a yield potential of one hundred 

50kg bags per hectare. However, the 

crop is also susceptible to Quelea 

birds invasion like any other sorghum 

crop. Therefore, farmers would have to 

be ready to chase the birds if they are 

to obtain maximum yields. 

The department planted this crop on 

the field for the first time on December 

13, 2011at different districts across the 

country to see how it does in different 

climatic conditions. It was ploughed 

alongside tswana crops like segaolane, 

Marupaantse, Sephala, Mahube and 

BSH1. The new hybrid and BSH1 did 

best compared to Tswana varieties. 

They showed similarities like big 

heads and white seeds, and they are 

semi dwarf in height and they both 

have higher yield potential. However, 

Batswana have to wait for about five 

years for the new crop to be availed 

to them as research is still ongoing. 

After harvest the new crop has to 

undergo further testing in terms of 

taste, whether its porridge or beer 

tasty. The National Food Research 

Technology Centre (NAFTEC) has 

been engaged for such testing. The 

crop will be named afetr completion 

of those tests. 

June 2012 2

Balosang Moremi and his wife admiring their twin calves 

Twin Calves in Mahalapye Sub district 

Article: Keamogetse Boitshepo 


Although twin calves are 

scientifically not out of the 

ordinary, for Balosang Moremi it 

was a rare occasion, that does not only 

increase his calving percentage, but 

imply that this year will be a blissful 

one for him and his family. 

February 10, is a historic date to the 

Moremi family because for the first 

time in their history one of their cows 

gave birth to twins. 

In disbelieve of what they could have 

dismissed as calf stealing by a cow, 

Moremi said the calves were quickly 

separated from the cow hoping for 

natural instinct to connect the real calf 

with its mother. This proved fruitless 

when both calves were drawn to the 

same cow. 

“It was not the only cow that was 

pregnant in my flock at the time. We 

made an assessment and found that 

no other cow had given birth that 

particular night. So, we are certain that 

the calves belong to the same cow.” 

With these conclusive facts, Moremi 

turned to his elders to find out what 

this could mean, since he had never 

seen it in his eight year farming 

experience nor had he heard about it 

in his life time. 

“To my knowledge, it has never 

happened to any of my relatives. I 

have always known goats to be the 

ones that can give birth to twins not 

cows. However, I learned that the 

incident shows that 2012 will be a 

blessed year of growth.” 

Moremi keeps Limousin bull and 

Brahman cows in Magwata cattle 

post in the Mahalapye sub district 

extension area. His choice of breed 

which he confessed to be rearing by 

default, is paying off since the breeds 

have good quality beef, productivity 

rate and suffi cient milk to feed the 

young ones. Even though he knew 

the cows to have suffi cient milk he 

did not think it would be enough for 

twin calves. To his surprise, the cow 

has enough milk to feed both calves. 

However, Moremi admits the twin 

mother is now an exception by not 

milking it. This, he said will go on for 

at least two months to ensure that the 

calves grow properly. 

Assessing his farming method to 

check what could have caused his 

luck, Moremi does not do anything 

different from other farmers in the area. 

He releases cattle to look for pastures 

in the evening and supplement with 

winter lick and salt. 

The news that carries excitement 

and hope for the Moremi family, 

scientifically they may carry no 

meaning at all. Dr Letlhogile Modisa, 

Director of Animal Production, 

3 

Ministry of Agriculture said for a cow 

to have twins is a chance event like it is 

with human beings. Cows, according 

to Modisa also have fraternal and 

identical twins as such they can 

be of the different or same gender 

respectively. 

“Twin calves are a matter of probability 

just like in human beings. The calves 

are as normal as those that are born 

individually, especially if they are 

fed well. However, scientifically it 

is generally observed that a heifer 

which is born as a twin of a male is 

usually sterile and this is referred to as 

Freemartinism.” 

Modisa said calving of twins is entirely 

natural therefore cannot be associated 

to feed type or any particular breed. 

However, Modisa does not deny that 

good farming conditions and good 

feed enhance production rate though 

it does not imply that the cows will 

have twins. Some plants may have 

some hormones that may cause 

superovulation and possibly twins as 

a result, but generally the phenomena 

of twins is not well understood. 

Modisa noted that it is difficult to tell 

the rate of twin production in the 

country considering the commonly 

used free range farming system. He 

said chances of unrecorded incidences 

of still born twins and lost calves 

which would be left to die of hunger 

or predators could be high. 


Vermicompost; the wa 

Article France Begensel 


Doing piece jobs did not dwell 

well in the mind of Onalenna 

Matlapeng 32, of Tlokweng. 

Working as a binder for Printing and 

Publishing Company Botswana could 

not put enough food on the table or 

dress her. The only way she could do 

something about her life was if she 

engaged in an agricultural project of 

some sort. 

Exploring different agricultural 

avenues, she came to settle for 

horticulture and beekeeping. “That 

was not enough as I still wanted to do 

something that could not pose danger 

to the environment. As I thought 

about artifi cial fertilizer and what it 

does to the soil and artmosphere after 

a long time I decided to settle for 

environment cleaners like bees.” She 

also decided to engage in something 

environmentallly friendly to nourish 

her vegetables. 

Matlapeng says that this is where the 

idea of worm compost came from. 

Worm composting is using worms 

to recycle food scraps and other 

organic material into a valuable soil 

amendment called vermicompost, 

or worm compost. Worms eat food 

scraps, which become compost as 

they pass through the worm’s body. 

Compost exits the worm through its 

tail end. This compost can be used 

to grow plants. To understand why 

vermicompost is good for plants, 

remember that the worms are eating 

nutrient-rich fruit and vegetable 

scraps, and turning them into nutrient 

rich compost (Jen Fong and Paula 

Hewitt:2009). 

The form five leaver says started her 

worm compost project this year. She 

developed interest in this kind of 

project because the compost does not 

harm the environment. “ I realised that 

I could use it as a source of income.” 

Above all, she discloses that she an 

ally of organic farming. 

Prior to starting her project she went 

for benchemarking and mentoring 

at Tshomarelo Tikologo where she 

was advised on how to go about 

the worm composting exercise.The 

Department of Agricultural Research 

also imparted valuable knowledge 

through workshops on verrmi 

composting. 

She reveals that she uses only raw 

fruits and vegetable scraps, kraal 

manure and pieces of paper, adding 

that the paper should only be black 

and white. She says that food such as 

meat, dairy products and oils should 

be avoided at all costs. She says that 

these are very complex materials that 

are diffi cult for the worms to digest. 

Thus, they take longer to break down 

and can attract pests. She reveals that 


y to go 

cooked foods are often oily which can 

also attract pests such as ants. 

Orange rinds and other citrus fruits, 

which are too acidic can also attract 

fruit flies. It is though advised that a 

variety of materials could be used. 

It has also been discovered that the 

more vegetable matter, the better the 

worm compost. Other vegetables 

to avoid at all costs are onions and 

broccoli because they tend to have 

a strong odour (Jen Fong & Paula 

Hewitt). 

“Setting up a place where you keep 

your worms is very easy and cheap.” 

She uses old tyres to house the worms. 

She adds that moist newspaper strips 

and clay to loamy soils are a good 

habitation for them, especially if some 

kraal manure has been added. She 

is quick to point out that the habitat 

requires constant watering to keep it 

moist. 

She adds that she started with with one 

tyre but currently has two and another 

one in a metal tub. The former PPCB 

employee reveals that she started with 

100 worms and they have multiplied 

to more than a 1000. She adds that the 

worms lay eggs and hatch after every 

two months. 

Matlapeng says that when you notice 

less and less bedding and more and 

more of compost in your tyre, it is 

time for harvesting, which is done 

by removing the finished compost 

from the tyre. She points out that if 

worms are well taken care of under 

a favourable environment, they will 

work tirelessly to eat garbage and 

produce more compost. 

She reveals that harvesting is done by 

pushing the worms to the other side of 

the tyre, removing any large pieces of 

undercomposed food or newspapers. 

“Put fresh bedding and food scraps in 

an empty side of tyre burying food 

scraps only in freshly bedded half.” 

She says that one can now collect the 

compost and use as it is ready. 

She says that many people are 

interested in buying her worm compost 

as it brings no harm to them or 

environment. She did some research 

for a year to establish the economic 

value of the project. She says that 

organic farming is advantageous 

compared to artificial fertilizers 

because of the dangers associated 

with the latter. “With worm compost 

it can be used by everyone including 

those who can not read because it is 

not harmful in any way. 

Although she just started she has 

not experienced any problems, but 

says if left uncovered birds could be 

a menace as they would feast on the 

worms. She says ants and mice can 

also be a problem. 

Ugele Majeule, Principal Agriculture 

Research Officer, Department of 

Agricultural Research shares the same 

sentiments with Matlapeng. Majeule 

is quick to reveal that they carried out 

the project after the President visited 

Cuba where he came across such a 

project. He says that this could be 

a profitable and healthy project if 

done properly. He adds that they are 

also engaged in a similar project at 

Sunnyside Farm near Lobatse. He 

points out that they started only a few 

months ago and they have just made 

their first harvest. 

He says that since the project is still at 

its infancy stage they have not rolled 

it out to potential farmers as there 

are still a lot of reseach to be done. 

He says that their current harvest is 

basically for tests, adding that they 

are to determine yield benefits and 

soil quality improvement. 

Majeule says that they are doing 

the project under different 

conditions like netshading, 

trenches and tyres. He says this 

would best show them on which 

conditions to adhere to. 

The project will be rolled out to 

potential farmers once research 

has been successful. He adds 

that they will target agriculture 

farmers,the fish industry and 

also councils which at times 

struggle with organic disposal. 

He says that once they establish 

the viability of the project they 

will roll produce management 

materials like videos, booklets 

and pamphlets. 

For Onalenna Matlapeng 

determination, dedication and 

passion would carry her through 

the struggle she finds herself 

in. She is though very hopeful 

that she will be amongst the 

suppliers of environmental 

friendly compost. 


Going strong since 1969 

Article: Segomotso Basuti 

Photos: Pius Nkunda 

Mr Milton Dikgale reminisces the 

harsh olden days when they would 

wake up early in the morning to chase 

cattle out of their fields so they would 

not destroy their crops. Barefoot, 

they would playfully run around the 

fields. To their elders, growing crops 

was done with such delicacy. No 

one would want to go through the 

streneous process of farming only to 

have their harvest destroyed by cattle. 

“Though, I was a little boy I still 

remember the events like it was 

yesterday, what amazes me is the 

passion our fathers had,” he said. 

Still caught in the moment, Dikgale 

narrates that for the people of 

Leshibitse using the latest methods 

of farming is not new. This has been 

their ritual since farming started in 

their area in 1969. In these years, their 

Agriculture demonstrator would cycle 

from Mookane to ensure that when 

the time came for farmers across the 

country to harvest what they had sown, 

his district would also have something 

to show. 

The hard work endured by farmers was 

not in vain or just to ensure that their 

families were provided for. According 

to Dikgale, there were competitions 

that were held during the ploughing 

season. These kept farmers motivated 

as everyone wanted to come up on top. 

Dikgale said since they knew that 

they were being judged, everything 

had to be done with utmost perfection 

as each process was allocated marks, 

hence contributing to them winning 

the competition. 

“The demonstrator would look at 

you from afar on his bike without 

even smiling, observing if the 

cattle had been bridled correctly 

and if you could control them so 

that they do not destroy the tilted 

land,” he said. 

After all was done, the winners would 

be named and given their prizes. 

Dikgale laughs as he recalls that no 

matter how hard he tried, there were 

those farmers who always scooped 

the prizes. 

Narrating this history at the 

Dikgamme-tse-ntle cluster farming 

fence handover in Leshibitse,it was 

clear that determination on the part 

of Leshibitse villagers has come a long 

way and has finally paid off. 

The committee chairperson, Mrs 

Christinah Dikgale expressed with joy 

how overwhelmed they were when 

they were told that government would 

fence their fields. 

She stated that the idea of forming a 

cluster started in 2007. The farmer’s 

committee was finally formed in 

2008 with each member popping 

out P500.00 to ensure that they fulfill 

their dream. 

“Forming an association is not a small 

thing. It requires dedication as at times 

you are forced to go an extra mile and 

dig deep in your pockets to get the 

project going.” 

She however said that because they 

were committed, the hurdles they 

stumbled upon only acted as stepping 

stones to achieving their goal. 

For his part, Assistant Minister of 

Agriculture, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi 

said that with their fields fenced, the 

association should be exemplary to 

other farmers as it was now expected 

that their yield increase significantly. 

Molebatsi urged the villagers to 

make use of the resources provided 

by government while they were still 

available because nothing lasts forever. 

He encouraged those who are still 

lagging behind to pick themselves 

up as fencing only required that they 

form a group and get funding from the 

government so that they can in future 

resemble Dikgamme-tse-ntle. 


The old and new drft fence 

Cluster Fencing to enhance production in Mookane 



Mookane farmers want to reclaim the 

status of being among the country’s 

most productive. The status took 

a deep dive when the drift fence 

collapsed and cattle invaded the 

fields. Now the farmers are retracing 

their steps by erecting a new fence to 

replace the worn out one. 

“Before the first fence collapsed, 

we were among productive fields in 

the country. Nowadays, cattle raid 

our fields and reduce our harvest 

drastically,” Lapologang Raphapha, 

one of the Mookane cluster fencing 

committee member stated. 

Using a Livestock Management and 

Infrastructure Development (LIMID) 

cluster fencing package, the fence 

is intended to cover approximately 

54 km radius which Raphapha said 

is bigger than the first fence. This, he 

said, is due to the inclusion of new 

fi elds allocated after the erection of 

the first fence. 

“People who were not included 

in the old fence were taken into 

consideration. Therefore, the new 

fence stretches wider than the first one 

to accommodate new fields.” 

As is the requirement of LIMID 

cluster fencing package, everyone 

needed to produce a land board 

certificate. To avoid delays of the 

application, Raphapha noted that 

all farmers of both the new and old 

fields cooperated with the authorities. 

Hence the application process was 

quick and easy to follow. 

“People who did not have certificates 

for either new or old fields worked 

with the land board to acquire them 

for the application to be processed. ” 

The project started in 2011 July and 

by far only 17 kms of fence has been 

erected. Raphapha explained that the 

progress is slower than anticipated 

because of several challenges. Among 

them, being lack of proper equipment, 

lack of reliable transport as well as 

poor commitment of the human 

resources. 

“We need a compressor to break rocks 

beneath the surface; as it is impossible 

to dig holes manually. The project has 

been in a halt for a number of weeks. 

We have however applied to borrow 

government machinery.” 

Raphapha also said the government 

had contracted eight Ipelegeng 

workers to do the project but only 

four are turning up for duty. This, 

according to Raphapha slowed down 

the project since it operates with 

half of the planned human resources. 

Transportation of resources, he said 

is also a challenge as the vehicle 

contracted has constant breakdowns. 

However, he appluaded farmers 

for their commitment as they often 

volunteer their cars. 

“Often farmers volunteer to transport 

equipment and debush the path where 

the fence is intended to pass. Right 

now, there are farmers debushing the 

fence line while we are waiting for the 

compressor.” 

While there is a spirit of cooperation 

among the farmers in Mookane, 

Raphapa decried lack of cooperation 

displayed by the youth in the village. 

“There is less number of youth showing 

interest in helping with erecting the 

drift fence. This is disappointing 

considering that youth apply for 

agricultural grants which need the very 

same land they are failing to invest in.” 

However, Raphapha said the 

committee is determined to finish 

the project and maintain the fence. 

To ensure and prepare for future 

challenges, Raphapha said the 

committee wants to bench mark 

where possible from other committees 

that are doing well. 

7 


1 

NAMIBIA BENCHMARKS IN 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

The Assistant Minister Oreeditse Molebatsi with Dr Letlhogile Modisa (Director 

Animal Production) getting feedback from the Namibian delegation 

Part of the Namibian delegation briefing the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, 

Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi about their visit to Botswana 

Head of the Namibian delegation, Ms Katrina Shiningavamwe. 

Traditional semen freezer used in farms and cattle posts for artificial 

insemination purposes 

Namibian delegation travelled as far as Dr L Nzingeʼs farm at Dutlwe 

Mr Hendry Ndengejeho of Raien Africa, the company that sponsored the visit 

Namibian farmer Mr Lawrence Katjatenja (left) with a local farmer Mr Tiapo Sekgopa. 

4 

5 

June 

2012 

2 

8

2 

BOTSWANA 

3 

6 

7 

9 


Electronic Ear Tag and 

analogue Ear Tag 

KEAMOGETSE BOITSHEPO SPEAKS ABOUT THE EAR TAG 

Following an extensive consultation with farmers across the country, the Ministry of 

Agriculture introduced an Electronic Ear Tag and analogue Ear Tag to replace bolus. What 

are major considerations that informed the decision? 

To make it possible for the livestock industry to be able to read each animals’ ear tag 

electronically in addition to visual appreciation. The radio frequency identification devise 

will provide the relevant information needed by the ministry. 

Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS) has two components/parts namely 

the identification (unique identification of the individual cattle) through a bolus or an ear 

tag and the traceability (data base showing the animal history regarding the following 

records birth/death, health, ownership transfers, treatment, movement, management, 

point of slaughter etc. 

A bolus is not a system but an animal identifier as part of the identification within the 

LITS system. The use of a bolus as an identifier is internationally acceptable. 

LITS Reviews 

The decision to face out the use of the bolus as an identifier was informed by a technical 

LITS review in 2009/10 and the stakeholders` evaluation (which was done through farmer 

consultation) of 2012. Although the bolus has advantages such as tamper proof, being recyclable 

and having high retention rate, the following are some of the shortfalls that were identified during 

these reviews; 

That 

there is nothing externally that shows whether the animal is bolused or not. 

Verification of the animal bolus status needs an officially approved bolus reader 

Farmers have very little role on the running of LITS, while the government is almost doing everything including what 

can be done by the farmer such as application of the officially approved identifier. But this is not possible while using 

bolus as an identifier mainly because of the application technique which needs some application skills and the need for 

a bolus reader to read the unique bolus number 

Boluses cannot be used in Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control zones as it is likely to transmit the FMD virus through 

the bolus applicator 

Lack of resources associated with bolus insertion i.e. transport, manpower etc. were identified as a major bottle neck 

What alternative identification and traceability technology options did the country have? 

Bolus systems, ear notching, cattle branding as well as use of animal color 

The RFID animal identification in the form of a bolus and digital ear tag are electronic technologies that can be used, where 

data is stored in the central data base. The other options that were used before are the brand which is a herd identifier, it 

identifies a collective group of animals belonging to a farmer but not the individual animal, it is not enough for traceability, 

ear notching and color though used traditionally, are not specific to an animal or the owner and are not regulated by the 

law, therefore cannot be used for effective identification and traceability. The only credible animal ID and traceability 

system is one on which each individual animal is identifiable. 

How is the Ear Tag a better option? 

It is a better option because Botswana cattle will be easily identifiable and traceable from birth throughout their lives. 

It is a visible device as opposed to the bolus system. Bolus system encourages disease transmission e.g Foot and Mouth 

during bolus insertion. 

Ear tag option 

Technically a bolus and electronic ear tag are one and the same as they both use a RFID system (radio frequency identification 

device) a microchip with a unique number, imbedded in the ceramic capsule in the case of a bolus or in a special plastic 

cover in the case of an ear tag. The advantage with the ear tag is the microchip unique number is also inscribed on surface 

the digital ear tag; therefore the number can both be easily read visually or with the use of a microchip reader. The same 

bolus reader can be used to read the digital ear tag. The electronic ear tag makes it easier to electronically transfer captured 

data from the ear tag to the data base. 

Therefore double ear tagging i.e. an ear tag with a microchip (electronic ear tag) attached to one ear and an analogue ear 

tag (without a microchip) attached to the other ear was found as an option to address the shortfalls identified above. The 

positioning of the ear tag on the ear, the material used to make the ear tags, the clipping nature of the ear tag, coupled with 

the attachment of the ear tags to both ears increases the retention rate. This makes it is difficult for the ear tag to detach 

from the ear during the normal activities of the animal unless by deliberate actions. 

How is the Ear Tag going to address the challenges that the livestock industry suffered with the use of bolus? (e.g. 

Administration / Information Technology and Human Resource issues) 

It is going to secure continued access to the lucrative European beef market by expanding access to high value regional 

market and aiding the swift recovery of stolen and stray animals. 

Ear tagged animals are visually identifiable without the need for a specially detection gadget. Currently farmers need special 


eaders in order to detect the bolus in the animal’s reticulum. This will cut down on the time wasted either waiting for the 

GVT officer to come and identify inserted animals or returning animals from marketing centres because they have no ID 

A The ear tag unique number is both electronically and visually readable, suitable for both small farmers with no IT 

background and the Computer literate farmers. 

An ear tags can be easily applied to the ear without any specially skill, therefore farmers can apply the ear tags. This removes 

the dependency of the farmer on government to apply the identifier; thereby the application of the ear tag will be in total 

control of the farmer. This solves the GVT problem of transport and manpower 

Identification by ear tags can also be extended to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control zones as it is less risky to transmit 

FMD. The farmers in the red zones can now join the technology era. 

How is the Ear Tag different from bolus? How does it work? 

The ear tag has a Radio Frequency Identification Devise (RFID) that guarantees automatic reading of animal 

identification at a high level of accuracy unlike bolus which does not have visual indicator showing that animal is 

bolused hence delayed field operations. 

See 1 and 3 above 

When is the new system (Ear Tag) expected to start? 

1st January 2013 

What is the Ministry doing in preparation for the Ear Tag? 

The Ministry is seriously carrying out extensive consultation with farmers across the country as well as other relevant 

stakeholders including NGOs and para-statals. The ministry is also work-shopping its employees on this new technology 

on how best to assist the farming community. 

The government has set up a working group with diverse members from the farmer, business operators, other government 

ministries etc, to map the way forward and advise government of the requirement for the ear tag to be implemented.. 

Will cattle with bolus still be eligible to be sold for slaughter at BMC? 

Yes they will be eligible until all new borns and those without bolus are electronically ear tagged. And bolused ones 

are all sold or utilized some how and remaining with electronic ones only.All animals that have been inserted with a bolus 

will continue using the bolus until they are all dead, but come January 2013 animal without a bolus will be identified 

using an ear tag. Therefore the two identifier will be used concurrently, with the bolus gradually facing out through natural 

attrition (death). Therefore it will take up to 10-12 years which is the longest life span of an breeding female under our 

farming system to face out the bolus. 

Livestock theft is a serious problem, what precautionary measures are being put in place to ensure that the Tag is 

not easy fiddled with? 

The whole information contained in the ear tag will be stored and captured in the ministry data base so as to ease 

identification and traceability. The membership of the working group include the police stock theft unit. This will also play 

a positive role in fighting stock theft. But every farmer is requested to take care of his or her 

livestock. 

No identifier will eliminate or reduce stock theft, but LITS can only be used to 

assist in cases of stock theft. However the objective of LITS is to address issues s of 

animal health and food safety in order to ensure that animal derived products 

are safe and wholesome for consumption. Use of LITS in investigating cases 

of stock theft is an added advantage for the livestock industry and it does not 

replace the branding system which traditionally has been used to indicate 

ownership. 

How is the use of the Ear Tag going to help with regard to the 

livestock identification and traceability European Union standards? 

This will enable Botswana beef industry to be marketed world wide 

because of meeting set European Union beef standards. 

The Bolus and digital ear tags are all RFID animal identification devices 

approved internationally, and this include by the EU. 

How is this change likely to change the livestock industry? 

The livestock industry will grow drastically in terms of number and quality by 

meeting the European beef standards as a result profit making is highly expected 

by farmers. 

With the implementation of the ear tag government will play the role of an official 

controller through the Department of Veterinary Services by ensuring that all stakeholders 

involved in the running of LITS comply with the set LITS standards that confirm to the 

international standard requirements. 

Government is trying to give farming back to the farmer, therefore the role of the farmer 

will be to ensure his animals are identifiable and traceable by buying and applying 

the digital ear tags to their cattle and make available the animal details (data) of the 

tagged animals. 

The government officials will have time to attend to other disease control activities 

and the scarce resources will be better rationalized. 

11 


LOPANG 

THE SIMMENTAL BEEF BREEDER 

Article: Kesegofetse Tawele 

Photos: Pius Nkunda 

Botswana’s economy is partly 

agriculture dependent as some 

people earn their livelihood 

by being farmers or farm workers. 

However, Mr Mmoladira Lopang 

of Dutwe cattle post is one such 

individual. He started from humble 

beginnings; keeping 25 Tswana cattle. 

Now, he is a proud owner of 250 

breeding stock. However, it did not 

happen overnight. It took a lot of blood, 

sweat and even tears sometimes, but 

like it is said a journey of a thousand 

miles starts with one step. 

The secret of getting ahead is getting 

started; Lopang’s journey started when 

he came across someone’s kraal full 

of Brahman breeds. He got inspired 

and sold all his Tswana cattle and 

bought Brahman breeds but as fate 

would have it, the Brahman did not 

do well. But as the wise man say take 

risks; if you win you will be happy 

but if lose you will be wise, Lopang 

switched to Simmental breeds and 

never looked back. He turned into a 

commercial Simmental beef breeder 

despite operating from a cattle post. 

Later, he and his four other friends 

joined forces and formed Tshepe 

Farmers club with the aim of 

improving their lives as well as their 

beef production businesses. It was 

through this club that Lopang began to 

excel in his endeavor. Lopang reveals 

that he learnt so much from his fellow 

club members, they connected him 

with right contacts, educated him on 

issues of seasonal vaccination and 

deworming. 

“I can now tell the types of disease just 

by looking at the symptoms.” 

Lopang also highlighted the advantages 

of belonging to a club that include 

amongst others, members can share 

work load for example fencing, and 

they also share the costs of buying 

and transporting feeds. Moreover, the 

veterinary officers can come and help 

them in one place. Lopang reveals that 

the secret of his success is keeping 

records of his breeding stock. 

Recently, the beef export industry 

which the country has so much relied 

on from time in memorial was faced 

with dire crisis, fi rstly the stringent 

requirements by the European Markets 

which led to the delisting of Botswana 

Meat Commission (BMC) from 

exporting to the lucrative European 

market. The situation is aggravated 

by exceptionally tough competition 

in these markets from countries such 

as Australia, Argentina and Brazil. 

Therefore, it is very imperative to have 

farmers of Lopang’s caliber to revive 

the beef industry in Botswana. 

Beef farmers need to change their 

mindsets and regard farming as a 

business in order to be competitive 

in the market. Lopang believes that 

like any profitable business, it should 

reflect in the way one lives. He 

added that the farm is his office. This 

is reflected in a big house he has built 

at his cattle post with a water system 

baths, toilets and is electrified by the 

solar system he had purchased to the 

tune of over P40 000. 

Other challenges facing the beef sector 

which led to the significant decrease 

in throughput to BMC from 187,000 

cattle in 2010 to a mere 100,000 in 

2011 include, the outbreak of Foot 

and Mouth Disease and drought. This 

poses a serious challenge to farmers 

like Lopang to ensure that the supply 

side of the value chain of the beef 

sector is strengthened as much as 

possible without compromising the 

issue of quality. This,can be achieved 

by adopting cost effective and efficient 

ways of producing beef. Therefore, 

beef farmers are called to abandon 

traditional farming practices and 

embrace modern farming practices 

like zero grazing, supplementary 

feeding and artificial insemination if 

they cannot afford desired bulls. 

Lopang believes that Batswana beef 

breeders are capable of turning around 

the situation if only they can stop their 

skepticism on breeding from the cattle 

post. He says ranch owners equally 

experience the same challenges of 

labour, feeding and fencing just like 

those at the cattle posts. 

“We cannot all own ranches, we 

should therefore leave the mentality 

of saying ranchers are better off.” 

He encouraged beef farmers to take 

proper care of their stock so as to 

increase carcass weight and increase 

BMC’s off take in the process. 


MEAT INSPECTION TRAINING 

CENTRE (MITC) MERGES BCA 

Article: Kesegofetse Tawele 

Photos: Henry Toto 

The newly named Meat Inspection 

Training Centre (MITC) now Meat 

Industry Training Institute has been 

offi cially handed over to Botswana 

College of Agriculture (BCA), as part of 

rationalization for training industries 

under the Ministry Of Agriculture 

,as per Presidential Directive Cab 

4(a)/2011 of the 24 February 2011. 

MITC was run and managed by the 

Ministry of Agriculture through the 

Department of Veterinary Services 

(DVS). The core mandate of DVS is the 

control of animal diseases. Therefore 

management of a tertiary academic 

institution of the magnitude and 

complexity of MITC did not fit in the 

core mandate of DVS. That is why the 

Cabinet approved the takeover. 

The Regional Training Centre for Meat 

Inspectors and Meat Technologists in 

Africa, which is the original name 

of MITC, was opened in October 

1984 as a joint project between the 

government of Botswana and the Food 

and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of 

the United Nations. The government 

of Denmark provided financial 

assistance to the tune of six and a 

half million US dollars (US$6 500 

000.00), the government of Botswana 

contributed three hundred and fifty 

three thousand US dollars (US$353 

000.00) while FAO provided the 

technical and operational assistance. 

The center was officially inaugurated 

in June 1986 by the then Vice President 

of Botswana and Minister of Finance 

and Development Planning, the 

late Mr Peter Mmusi. The ultimate 

objective of the project was to address 

the necessary manpower requirements 

for development of the meat industry 

in Africa. FAO managed and ran the 

institution until September 1991 when 

they handed it over to the government 

of Botswana. 

However, the institute will be retained 

in Lobatse and run as a campus 

while BCA will be the main campus. 

With the growth of BCA becoming a 

university of agriculture in the near 

future, collaborative research in 

areas of meat and related fields will 

be enhanced and new technologies 

will be generated to support the 

meat industry. This will afford BCA to 

expand training opportunities in the 

meat industry to include training for 

amongst others certificates, diplomas’ 

and degrees at a later stage, where 

applicable in meat inspection, meat 

technology, leather technology to 

hides and skin management, slaughter 

house management. Therefore, 

implementation of those programs 

calls for expansion of existing facilities 

at MITI or Sebele (BCA) with requisite 

equipment, recruitment and training of 

staff. The facilities at this institute will 

complement existing ones at Sebele 

to support teaching of the new Food 

Science and Technology programme 

which at the moment has challenges 

in carrying out some laboratory 

practicals due to inadequate facilities 

at the Sebele main campus. 

Dr Ricks Chabo, the principal of BCA 

explained that given the position of 

Botswana as an exporter of quality 

meat to Europe and other markets, 

this institute should in the near future 

become a centre of excellence in meat 

industry training and research. 

According to the Minister of 

Agriculture, Mr Christiaan de Graaff, 

the importance of the beef industry in 

Botswana cannot be over emphasized. 

Botswana’s beef continues to access 

international markets because of the 

measures put in place to guarantee 

both public health and animal health 

concerns. Ministry Of Agriculture is 

actively engaged in the production 

of healthy livestock population in 

order to produce meat that is safe for 

human consumption. Public health is 

promoted and protected through the 

Minister De Graaff unveiling the new logo 

upkeep of hygienic slaughter /dressing 

standards and strict meat inspection 

practices. 

The Meat Inspection Training Centre 

hitherto, has focused its attention 

in developing trained manpower 

required for meat inspection in 

the country and in other African 

countries by offering an intensive 

training programme covering various 

subjects associated with the supply of 

wholesome meat and meat products. 

13 


Gantsi Region is one of the 

areas identified as best for 

the production of bean 

crops or pulses alongside the 

kgalagadi region. However, the 

out break of aphids (known as 

Ngadule to the residents) poses 

a greater threat to the production 

of cowpea beans in the region. 

The region’s situation is made 

worse by lack of rains that is 

coupled with the scorching heat. 

Most people think all farmers in 

Gantsi region are only into cattle 

production,suprisingly there are 

famers who do not have even a 

single cow, who depend solely 

upon crop farming with beans 

being the most grown crop. 

The residents of the most affected 

villages such as Ncojane, Kole 

and Charleshill have been left in 

despair as most of thier cowpea 

bean crops have been greatly 

affected by the aphid pests. Gantsi 

Region is characterised by sandy 

soils and little or less rainfall, these 

conditions do not favour most field 

crops like maize and sorghum, 

except for beans because they are 

drought tolerant. 

Now when the crop that promises 

better yield for Gantsi area is 

threatened due to infestation by 

aphids, farmers can only watch 

and hope that a little will be left for 

their families. Famers in Ncojane 

and Kole villages say the aphids 

out break this year is more severe 

than in recent years. 

Hence most cowpea crops cannot 

withstand the pressure of the 

infestation. Ncojane extension 

agent, Ms Kamogelo 

Bafaletse explained 

that the occurence 

of more aphids this 

year is caused by 

low levels of rain 

experienced in the 

region. 

A question that 

arises in the minds 

of some concerned 

farmers at Ncojane 

is that if the outbreak 

of aphids increases 

yearly, what does 

this mean for the 

production of beans 

in the region. 

HOW DO 

APHIDS 

DESTROY 

CROPS 

Aphids that attack 

beans were noticed 

to be mostly pale 

black in colour, some with small 

visible white spots on their bodies. 

Ms Bafaletse further explained 

that aphids are migratory pests 

from creeping plants e.g weeds. 

When the weeds have lost their 

palatability, the aphids would 

now go on to planted crops in 


the fi elds for consumption. They 

feed by sucking the sap or 

juice from leaves, roots 

and the bean pods of 

the crop. This action 

results in declined 

photosynthesis of 

crops due to loss 

of water, leading 

to wilting of crops. 

In incidents of 

heavy feeding by 

the aphids the 

crops will dry 

out including 

the bean pods 

which is the case 

at Ncojane village. 

As the aphids suck 

the sap from the bean 

pods a sweet aroma is 

released, which in turn 

attracts other flying pests 

such as bees. 

Farmers say the pests normally 

hide in the soil in the evening 

when it is cold , only to come out 

in the morning when it is warm. 

Mrs Evelyn Mothibi, a famer at 

Ncojane who in most cases scopes 

best price at the Agricultural 

Consumer Fair in Gantsi region 

said the cowpea beans in her 

fi eld have been highly affected. 

Moreover, Mrs Mothibi said that 

usually 

by late April in past years she would 

have harvested six 50Kg bags of 

cowpea beans but unfortunately 

this season she has managed 3 

bags. She also said that she does 

not know if her cowpea beans will 

do well at the agricultural show 

this year. Mrs Mothibi further 

explained that there is no chance 

for the crops to recover more so 

that winter in the region has 

already arrived. 

WHAT IS LEFT FOR 

FARMERS 

The few beans which 

have been harvested 

by some farmers are 

small in size or have 

shrunk due to the 

stress from the aphids 

and less rainfall. 

Farmers in Ncojane 

and Kole villages 

survive by selling 

beans from thier fields 

to Botswana Agricultural 

Marketing Board (BAMB) 

and individuals to raise 

money to pay for school fees 

and also buy certain foods. 

But this year these farmers do not 

know if they will be able to do so. 

Yields of beans in Ncojane and 

Gantsi areas this year remains 

uncertain. Despite of this 

unfortunate incident, farmers are 

advised to continue consulting 

extention agents in their villages 

for assistance on how to contol the 

aphids should they come again 

next year. 

15 


LIMID TRANFORMS WIDOW’s LIFE 



Livestock Management and 

Infrastructure Development 

(LIMID) programme came in 

handy for Oagalalela Gaeswepele 

after several attempts to equip her 

inherited borehole. She had gone to 

the extent of buying an engine, but 

the cost of finishing the project was 

too expensive for her. 

Caught at the cross roads without a 

husband, the 60 year old widow had 

to map the way forward for herself and 

her only son, Oagile Gaeswepele. She 

entered unfamiliar grounds known to 

be men’s territory of selling cattle to 

raise money and apply for a LIMID 

package for the completion of the 

project. She applied for an assistance 

package that required her to pay a 

certain percentage of the total cost of 

the project. 

“I had to sell a number of cattle to 

raise P14 297.00 being the percentage 

I needed to pay and government 

covering the balance.” 

Gaeswepele exudes with pride about 

her success, recalling the easy steps 

of applying for LIMID package. She 

said the application needed her to 

attach documents proving water 

rights, cattle brand certificate, identity 

document and quotations for the items 

required. Further, she celebrated the 

free connection service rendered 

by her son and that purchasing the 

engine earlier significantly reduced 

the total costs. 

“I just needed a (water tank) Jojo, 

troughs, pipes and other small items 

for connection. The process is easy 

and fast. It took me roughly a month 

for my application to be approved.” 

Just a year with the borehole operating, 

she said, the decision to apply for 

LIMID has proved to be good as the 

borehole does not only water her flock 

but of four other families as well. The 

arrangement, she said, does not only 

have a promising lucrative future but 

will also have swift returns for her 

investment. 

“The families that are watering their 

flocks in the well pay a heifer for a year 

upfront. But those that want to pay in 

cash pay in lieu of a heifer. The idea 

is to get back the money I invested 

and for the borehole to maintain itself.” 

The well that is a couple of kilometers 

from the homestead is fenced and 

surrounded with thorny bushes to 

control movement and limit access 

to the exclusive member of the 

borehole. To enforce exclusivity of 

the water Gaeswepele devised 

a strategy. She said they 

only put enough water in 

the watering troughs and 

leave it empty when they 

are done. 

“Currently, the borehole waters 

approximately 300 cattle a day. The 

flocks take turns to avoid a stampede.” 

For a person with less than 10 years in 

the industry, Gaeswepele is learning 

fast as she expresses concern about 

the depletion of the water table that 

feeds her borehole. She plans to call 

experts to carry out an exploration 

on the water table capacity and also 

offer guidance on the proper use of 

the borehole. Further, she emphasized 

the importance of maintenance of 

the engine by ensuring that there 

is enough diesel and oil to run the 

engine. 

“Operating the engine without enough 

diesel and oil can cause damage that 

will take more money to repair. So, I 

encourage my son to frequently check 

that everything is in good order before 

switching it on so that it lasts long.” 

Even though her dream came true, 

Gaeswepele lamented the presence 

of leopards in Bogalakepu cattle post 

of Shoshong. She said this year, the 

leopard ate four of her cattle. Since 

she never gives in to challenges, the 

60 year old said she has applied for 

a gun. 


Like any other business venture, 

before going into farming one 

should decide why they are 

interested. If your first answer 

is that you are looking for a 

quick financial fi x, quit right 

away. Farming is hard work, and 

the trade is, for the most part, 

drenched in tradition. If you 

have never farmed in your life 

be ready to answer the question 

“Why do you want to farm?” 

from the top of your head. 

Lately, the inclination 

in agriculture is towards 

commercialization and 

specialization. Be precise and 

choose the kind of agriculture 

that would work best for you. 

For instance, when choosing 

dairy cows, consider diseases 

in your area, distance to market 

place, size of your farm, capital 

for milking machines or if 

manually done, consider the 

labour involved. There are many 

fields in agriculture one could 

choose from; poultry (broilers 

or layers), horticulture, beef 

cattle, etc. If need be, take the 

time to find farms that you like. 

Talk to farmers and ask them 

what they do, how their farms 

have changed over time, what 

direction they think the fields 

are going in. Become a learner 

and offer your services as a 

labourer. Take every opportunity 

of working in exchange for 

knowledge. 

Watch people do what they do 

and ask them to teach you how. 

Openly express your desire 

to learn. Whether it is fixing 

the tractor, or deciding on 

what to feed the cows you will 

never become a farmer until 

you understand the hands-on 

behind everything that makes 

a farm work. Involve yourself 

in mechanical tasks. Become 

as familiar as you can with farm 

machinery, how to use it safely, 

and how to maintain and fix it. 

Even the smallest farms usually 

depend on a small tractor. 

Understand farm economics, 

farm politics and consider short 

term classes at the college that 

teach agri-business. If you want 

to make it past the farm labour 

stage you must be informed on 

all aspects of farming. Try and 

understand what impact your 

choice of farming will have on 

the market. Figure out if you 

need to take loans to finance 

your enterprise and which 

particular loans would be fit. 

The Ministry of Agriculture has 

initiatives such as ISPAAD that 

are set up to help farmers. Also 

banks such as NDB may assist 

with investments and loans. 

Grants for youth such as Young 

Farmers Funds also may come 

to play. 

Finally, dress the part, just as 

you would in a law firm. If you 

are just starting out in farming, 

you are probably going to be 

doing a lot of physical labour. 

A clean t-shirt, jeans, and work 

boots. A good quality overall 

comes in handy. 

Farmers are generally friendly, 

humble, and welcoming people, 

have a good sense of humour. 

Laughter makes the day go by 

faster, especially when your 

muscles are aching and you 

feel like your fingers are going 

to fall off and the weather has 

ruined your plans once again. 

A positive attitude is an asset to 

any farm! Do not ever forget to 

have fun. 

17 


June Grid 

A citrus fruit In good physical 

shape 

In the middle of Bee Product A small house Type of soil 

Period without 

rain 

First 

vowel 

RB1 Agric show 

North Gram A pig’s home Animal disease 

(abbr) (abbr) 

Top The element 

Glide on snow 

Mark carbon 

Cereal plant 

A light sailing 

vessel 

Cattle breed Yellow part of 

egg 

Legumes 

Knockout 

(abbr) 

Botswana Agricultural Marketing 

Not 

Pig Breed 

Board 

new 

Not 

A nocturnal bird 

good 

A female sheep Help Diamond town West Last 

vowel 

Informal A 

greeting vowel 

A man’s best 

friend 

Not 

off 

WORD GRID 

Compiled 

by Segomotso Basuti 

A vegetable 

Year 

(abbr) 

A meditation 

process 

Ton 

(abbr) 

Social insect 

Pull 

A 

season 

Local Enterprise 

Authority (abbr) 

Not 

you 

Water collection 

source 

Atmospheric 

vapour 

Government assistance 

programme 

Address welcomingly 

Farm animal East Not 

Not 

out 

yours 

Smile broadly 

Type of soil 

Leave 

May solutions 

O Assistant Minister of H O R T I C U L T U R E 

Agriculture,Hon…Molebatsi 

R I P E Fullgrown 

Zero I Edge Roman one I N growing of fruits 

and vegetables 

E I Not new O M I T Leave out O N I O N 

E G G Chicken Produce L Top 

Note Not off O N T A vegetable 

mark 

this 

D Farm animal Social D A W N Early morning King of the Y O U 

insect 

jungle 

I N D I A An Asian country Legume B E A N State of being Not R 

undivided me 

T Tool with an 

N O S E A breathing G The growing of crops and Vase N 

abrasive edge 

organ 

rearing of livestock 

S A W That is T Our P Wheat product G R A I N Call for 

money 

E Matures with I Farm B A R N Roman I Snakelike- fish E E L 

age 

building 

Ten 

E W E Female sheep D E X C U S E Justification 

A 

I B Exist E A S U Not Bright D I M 

season 

vowel 

W I N T E R Garden tool T I L L Cultivate I 

Female Goat E Food and Agriculture 

Bird’s home Ton T Not H 

L 

organization 

she 

D Our continent A F R I C A U Deer E L K 

O X Farm animal A What we breathe I Vowel R U E Feline Nutritious drink 

E 

World Organization for 

Animal health 

O I E R E evergreen 

subshrub 

C A T 


TEASERS 

Compiled By Segomotso ots 

oBasuti 

Did You Know 

While the daily recommended amount of water is eight cups per day, not all of this water must 

be consumed in the liquid form. Nearly every food or drink item provides some water to the 

body. 

Did You Know 

Chickens are able to communicate with their mother whilst still in the egg and she with them 

Did You Know 

In a hive, if the queen dies the workers stop their work, refuse to eat and soon die unless another 

Queen is provided. 

Did You Know 

An apple tree can produce up to 400 apples a year 

Did You Know 

Did you know that cows, are curious, bear grudges, love each other baby sit for one another, 

have friends and are intelligent, sentient. 

Did You Know 

The chicken and fish are the only animals that are eaten before they are born and after they die. 

Did You Know 

Including fruit and vegetables in one’s daily diet can lessen the chances of miscarriage by 

almost half of the frequency. 

Did You Know 

Pigs do not perspire, to keep cool they wallow in mud which also keeps them clean and free 

from pests and other irritations. As the wet mud falls off it cleanses the pig. 

Did You Know 

Ghanzi District is considered as the hub of Agricultural excellence attracting people from 

different parts of the country. 

Did You Know 

No two cows have exactly the same pattern of spots, and cows from different areas have a 

different ‘moo’ accent. 

Did You Know 

It is recommended to eat at least 2-3 servings of fresh fruits every day. 

Did You Know 

Goats were the first animals to be used for milk by humans. 

TEASERS TEASERS TEASERS 

19 


LENANEO LA DITSHUPO TSA TEMO THUO, 2012

June Agrinews 2012-13.indd - Ministry of Agriculture

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