NGBBPA initiates awareness drive for farmers

The Nata-Gweta Block Beef Producers Association (NGBBPA) Farmer Field Day in Zoroga Village saw Carla Mucavi, FAO representative in Botswana, speak about the significance of generating awareness among local farmers regarding compliance to regional as well as international standards so that they can utilise the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

“The beef industry is not just about commerce; it is a symbol of national pride and rural resilience,” said Mucavi.

She commended the NGBBPA for uniting communal and ranch-based farmers into a strategic alliance that advocates for improved market access, enhanced animal health services, sustainable rangeland management, and the revitalization of Botswana’s cattle industry.

“Farmers must not be viewed merely as victims of climate change, but as proactive agents of transformation,” she said. “FAO remains steadfast in supporting Botswana’s transition to climate-smart agriculture, strengthening early warning systems, and promoting sustainable land and water management.”

Highlighting agriculture as an engine of youth empowerment and women’s inclusion, Mucavi said, “Agriculture must be repositioned as a pathway to entrepreneurship and wealth creation, not a sector of last resort.”

The association has recently secured an 18-hectare farm to establish a livestock feed production and packaging facility, which is anticipated to reduce dependency on external feed sources and enhance local production capacity.

The association is working closely with the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture and the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) to acquire skills in fodder production and innovative agricultural techniques. “We are also building strong networks with crop producers in the region and commercial farmers in Pandamatenga to source raw materials,” said NGBBPA Chairperson Gosata Mosweu. “We welcome FAO’s continued support as we strive to build resilience and sustainability within our block.”