15 Apr 2024

Ever since he was a small boy, the youthful Banogi Sentlabane used to wake up every morning to herd his father’s cattle to graze and came back in the evening. Sentlabane, aged 37, says farming has always been the bread and butter for him and his family.

“I used to watch and learn as my father went about his daily duties at the cattle post. I was raised among cattle, that is why I love them. Farming has always been in my blood,” he said in an interview after BOPA spotted him amongst bidders at the recent Lobu Small Stock Farm auction sale.

Later, Sentlabane took over some of the farming roles from his father and matured into an farmer that he is as present.

After graduating with a Degree in Adult Education from the University of Botswana in 2010, Sentlabane got a job at the Tsabong District Council as a community development officer, where he still works. Despite his job, he never lost his love for farming as he used most of his earnings to uplift conditions of the two cattle posts that he owns in Tsabong and Bogogobo villages, which is about five kilometres from Middlepits in the Tsabong District.

“I started off by buying pure Dorper sheep and pure Boer goats from South Africa to start breeding for sale.”

Considering harsh Kgalagadi conditions, Mr Sentlabane said a Dorper was bred to adapt and flourish under such situations.

“They have low mortality rate, are resistant to diseases and have a high reproduction tempo,” he said.

Also, boer goats can adapt to  almost all types of weather and climate and have high fertility rates.

Today he boasts of an impressive 60 goats and 75 sheep. Over time, he started participating in agricultural shows where, amongst others, he won numerous awards in the best slaughter ship category.

Sentlabane is currently perfecting his proposal and working on a detailed business plan for his envisaged farming project.

“I have never received any monetary assistance, but right now I want to approach CEDA for a loan to install a borehole in Bogogobo. I have faced many challenges, but never despaired because my ultimate dream is to become a successful farmer and now I believe CEDA can assist me realise my dream,” he said.

However, Sentlabane said small stock farming faced an array of challenges including rain scarcity and dry velds, which led to some of his livestock dying.

“Sometimes, they would drift away in search of water and greener pastures. Remember I have a full time job so my employees at times fail me and do not do what they are supposed to.”

“One cannot simply treat farming as a hobby or take it by chance. You have to take it as a real business and treat your stock with respect as well as those you farm with. Costs of vaccines and cattle feed is expensive and you need to know how to carefully use your money to ensure you breed quality product.” He said farming was a competitive undertaking and one needed to know how to breed stock to impress the market. “You need to also constantly benchmark with more established farmers to ensure that you are on course.”

One of Sentlabane’s desires is to introduce artificial insermination (AI) for small stock, which he said is uncommon in Botswana.

“In June, I will be embarking on a journey to South Africa to attend an AI course, which I believe will empower me to deal with the management aspects of AI and successful breeding as a whole,’ he said. Sentlabane is one of the young farmers in Botswana who have heeded President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s call for the youth to grow and take the agricultural sector to new heights. “Small stock has quick returns. All it needs is dedication and commitment. Start small and grow as you learn,” President Masisi had once said. ENDS