Youth Livestock Farmers Day set to revolutionize the industry
Preparations for the first ever Youth Livestock Farmers Day, an initiative by young farmers for the benefit of potential young farmers, are well under way.
Slated for 24th-26th May at Letlhare Farm in Serowe, this one-of-a-kind event is expected to attract captains of the industry as well as a curious youthful audience for three days of business to business dialogue and skills transfer.
The event’s Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Kabelo Letlhare told Voice Money their main aim is to promote and sensitize the youth about livestock farming.
“According to statistics most young people are into horticulture, but are finding it very difficult to venture into livestock farming,” revealed Letlhare, adding they want to engage experts and relevant stakeholders to come and impart knowledge and skills to potential livestock farmers.
“If the current situation is not conducive for young people, then we should find a way, we should be able to provide answers in order to lure them to livestock rearing,” he reasoned.
Letlhare further said they’re trying to put pressure on stakeholders, especially in regards to funding at entry level.
“Most of the conditions and minimum requirements for possible funding are not favorable to young people. This is why we intend to have stakeholders on a panel to discuss funding, and also young panelists to share their challenges,” he explained.
“Panelists will include established farmers both young and old, and some from the funding and mentoring institutions. Some of our panelists will come from Namibia and South Africa because we want to turn this into a regional event,” he said.
Stakeholders expected at the event include the National Development Bank (NDB) and Local Enterprise Authority (LEA).
One of the organisers, Kushata Moesi, has firsthand experience of the challenges young people face to get funding for their farming projects.
“I tried to get funding at age 20, but only managed at 27 years of age,” she said.
The young farmer, who doubles up as a Marketing Assistant and Social Media Interactions for the event, said she was funded by CEDA to go into livestock farming.
Growing-up in a farming family, Moesi said to this day she still uses a piece of land borrowed from her parents.
“Acquiring farming land as a young person is impossible; an event like this will help us to come up with solutions to our common problems,” she said.
Inspired by her father, Moesi did her own research on farming and business models.
“I was always interested on the business side of farming. I decided to do research on Artificial Insemination (AI) after my father lost a couple of bulls which highly impacted the calving rate,” she said.
Now qualified to administer AI, Moesi’s aim is to inspire other young girls to also take matters into their own hands and build their own kraals.
“I’m convinced that women are best suited to administer AI because with have small, gentle hands. We’re just perfect, and I honestly hope that more young girls see this as an opportunity,” Moesi said.
Letlhare Farm, where the event will be hosted, is approximately 7km from Serowe Police Station, and is accessible by any car.