Communal grazing in Botswana
Name of sustainable practice or practices Communal grazing in Botswana
Name of main actor Botswana College of Agriculture
Type of actors involved Pastoralists, Indigenous communities (including community farming), Smallholder livestock keepers, Family farmers
Livestock Species Cattle, Chicken, Goat, Sheep
Livestock breed breeds of Tswana and Brahman, Simmental, Sherolain and Simbra
Country Botswana
Agro-ecological region Tropical and Sub-tropical
Main feature of best practice Improving environmental sustainability including biodiversity conservation, Contributing to better animal health and welfare, Furthering grain-free strategies in animal feed
Key features of livestock farming system Pastoral livestock keeping
Year practice/management strategies started to be implemented 1984
Key practices implemented to improve sustainability of livestock management This farming system utilizes communal pastureland for cattle and small livestock (sheep and goats) grazing. Supplementary feeding is minimal and only includes some Di-calcium phosphate. A borehole for drinking by livestock is shared with other farmers.
Best practices on the farm include:
• Using natural pastures for livestock grazing.
• Being not only the owner but also the manager on the farm.
• Paying herd boys at least P800.00 per month which is more than current government minimum wage of P550.00.
• Timely disease and parasite control measures are another important practice making sure animals are in good health.
• Supplementary feeding with Di-calcium phosphate because of the poor nature of sand veldt grasses.
Key impacts of the best practices on sustainability of farming system Since the borehole for water is a kilometer away it reduces groundwater pollution on pastureland. Establishing kraals by harvesting hay from Dichrostachys cinereo trees from the communal land allows less pressure on the pasture. The farmer sells to the local butcheries, individuals and the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) which processes beef mainly for export to European Union market.
All the practices facilitate low initial capital costs that are needed from the farmer to establish his livestock operation and sustainable production. By releasing cattle during the day to go into the pastures, it reduces the amount of kraal manure that could have otherwise accumulated if they were to be kept under intensive system. Therefore the farming system contributes to improving environmental sustainability and allows cattle to exercise reducing animal stress. These practices enhance quality products.
The farmer explores different markets and sells to one which offers a better price. He prefers selling to local butcheries and to individuals because they offer a better price. The local butcheries offered P21 per kilogram dressed weight.
Constraints and opportunities observed during implementation of described practices There is great dependence of the farmer on livestock as the main livelihood strategy by selling cattle as well as slaughtering small stock and chicken for home consumption. The farmer no longer depends solely on herd boys as livestock managers. The farmer is then able to invest his income in building a pit latrine to improve sanitation around the cattle kraals.
Contacts
Tselaesele, N.M; Mphothwe, G. K.; Abdulazeez, A.; Ramorathudi, M.V. & Torimiro, D.O.
Corresponding author: Professor Dixon Olutade Torimiro. Email: torimiro(at)gmail.com
