06 Oct 2015

Sebele Pig Multiplication Unit Farm manager, Othusitse Sebolaakhudu,has acknowledged challenges that Botswana’s pig industry is still grappling with. Nonetheless, Sebolaakhudu is happy that government is committed to supporting farmers with a positive mindset towards pig farming.

In this regard, government through the Ministry of Agriculture’s Department of Animal Production set up a breeding facility in 1975 to supply weaners and breeding stock to local pig farmers. 

The unit also serves as a demonstration farm. Sebolaakhudu explains that pigs  from the facility are sold to farmers at subsidised prices to encourage and promote pig production in Botswana. He says local production in comparison to imports is a bit low.  Currently, local production is at 419 tons compared to 445 tons imports. 

Sebolaakhudu  notes that they are also aware of inadequate slaughter facilities besides an unorganised market. 

However, he encourages aspiring pig farmers to venture into the industry given it is very easy to set up new enterprises since pigs do not demand a lot of land which is always a problem with new businesses. He says the market for pig products is also becoming open owing to increased demand for pork. 

Hope for young farmers

Magare  Mononi is an aspiring weaner pig and boar breeder farmer from Mogobewakgomo cattlepost in the outskirts of Goodhope in the Barolong region. Against all odds, Mononi travelled all the way to the Gaborone Agriculture Show and scooped, amongst others, grand champion of the yard, champion junior boar and champion gilt.

Like any other agricultural businesses, Mononi, as a pig farmer, faced challenges in a relatively emerging sector locally. 

He benefitted from the Young Farmers Fund, a government youth empowerment programme aimed at assisting aspiring young farmers to set up or improve their agriculture projects and take advantage of available economic opportunities. 

It was difficult task for him starting off with only a few pigs and having to face disease outbreaks due to lack of proper understanding of piggery. One of the challenges that Mononi had to face was instability in feed prices which seriously frustrated his budget as he had to trade at a loss to feed over 100 pigs. 

He says the exorbitant feed prices are a major constraint in pig production. Mononi suggests there should be funding tailor-made for piggery to offset other challenges such skilled labour and feed supply costs. 

He says government should consider extending financial assistance to pig farmers through a direct fund for piggery. There should be hope for Mononi and other vibrant young farmers that the inadequate supply of breeding stock should motivate them to venture into breeding more pigs. Ends