A survey of traditional beef cattle farmers in Southern Botswana: Demographic parameters and adoption of certain improved management practices

Abstract

The aims of this survey were to characterise traditional beef cattle farmers and evaluate the adoption of certain improved management practices by these farmers in southern Botswana. The study was carried out over a period of 8 months i.e. March to October 2002. Demographic data, marital status, level of education, use of vaccination, record keeping, breeding system in use and management system used were collected from randomly chosen farmers using a formal questionnaire. A total of 71 beef cattle farmers were interviewed in 50 different villages of Kgatleng, Kweneng and Southern Districts of Botswana. Data were analysed using Procedure Frequency in Statistical Analysis System. The majority of the farmers were males (87%), aged over 35 years (83%), married (75%) and with either primary or no education (62%). The majority of the farmers (86%) practiced extensive management and did not keep production records (83%). Most farmers (99%) supplementary feed their animals and all farmers (100%) vaccinate their animals against certain diseases. The majority of the farmers (94%) did not control the breeding season of their herds and the majority (87%) also let bulls run with cows all year round. Most of the sampled farmers (56%) used artificial insemination (AI) to improve the genetic quality of their cattle. The constraints, which prevented farmers from using AI were long distances (over 60 km) between cattle post and AI camp centre, limited carrying capacity of the AI camps, small numbers of cows permitted per farmer per breeding season (5) and cows which were pregnant during stocking at the beginning of the breeding season. Farmers should be encouraged to know how to read and write to enable them to communicate better. Farmers should also be taught the benefits of controlling breeding and use of modern management practices such as use of AI and keeping production records. More AI camps should be set up to reduce the distance travelled by those farmers who are far way from an AI camp centres and also to accommodate more cows.



SA Jnl. Agric. Ext.<?i> Vol. 33 2004: 11-19