Abstract

The government of Botswana wants to promote milk production in peri-urban areas to reduce dependency on imported milk. In phase I of this project (83-0281), dual purpose Simmental x Tswana crossbred cattle, forage production, field crop residue conservation, and improved feeding were introduced to traditional agropastoralists. The cooperating farmers adopted new technologies, resulting in increased milk production. This second phase will continue to introduce and evaluate fodder crops and dual purpose cross-bred cattle on small-scale farms; evaluate the economic performance and social acceptance of the introduced technologies; identify marketing alternatives; and strengthen linkages with extension staff.

Post-Project Summary

The project focused on the introduction of crossbred cattle (Tswana/Simmental), the production of a Dolichos legume (Lablab purpureus) for fodder and the use of crop residues (sorghum stover) for supplementary feeding in winter. Most of the research was conducted on farm with 46 farmers participating. The technical aspects of the project proved sound. Crossbreeds were hardy and did produce more milk than indigenous cattle while the supplementary feed did result in significant increases in milk yields. But, the extra cost and labour were not justified by the price paid to the farmer for the increased output, even after the establishment of government-subsidized village milk collection centres. Thus they did not result in increased incomes.

The most significant contribution of the project was in the area of training. The project funded a BSc, an MSc and a PhD, as well as a number of short courses. This provided for a well-balanced research team at the Animal Production Research Unit (APRU), one that holds out the possibility of advancement for junior researchers. Moreover, the project served to enhance the prominence of dairy research and the national capacity to carry out animal production research in general.

The project went on to a third phase funded by the Botswana government. But instead of providing cattle, APRU set up an artificial insemination program and moved away from lablab seed, a forage crop that must be sowed every year, toward Buffle grass, a permanent (self-seeding) pasture legume.

Recipient Institution(s)