NFTRC at Kgatleng Field Day

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On its quest to promote food entrepreneurship recently National Food Technology Research Centre (NFTRC) attended Kgatleng Small Stock Field Day to sensitise Bakgatla about the Centre`s developed prototypes ready for commercialisation.

The objectives of the day were to provide a platform for information sharing by farmers as well as to assist farmers and all participants on modalities to access small stock markets by showcasing their animals. It was also meant to provide networking among producers and business owners to improve the industry.

When giving the keynote address Kgatleng District Agricultural Coordinator Ms Baitshepi Babusi-Hill highlighted that the Department of Animal Production provide technical support to small stock farmers through extension service, emphasising that this is meant to improve husbandry practices and some prefer to sell animals as breeding stock.

She further said the Ministry under the Department of Veterinary Services provides support service to small stock farmers by ensuring that the flocks are disease free by providing diagnosis and control services based on early detection and intervention.

She said the service is extended to the provision of a meat inspection service which ensures that the slaughtered stock is safe for human consumption.

Meanwhile NFTRC used this platform to promote its meat processing skills transfer programme, encouraging farmers to consider rearing for meat processing entrepreneurship. Ms Peoetsile Seitiso encouraged the farmers that Botswana is already known worldwide as a meat producing country indicating that adding mutton and chevon to the meat industry will make it blossom hence upscaling the country’s export supply.

Different stakeholders including Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) and Agri-Business promotions made presentations on services they offer to small stock farmers and afterwards they engaged farmers on question and answer session.

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