Small scale farming on the rise in Maun
Maun sub district has noted a surge of interest in small scale farming in the area since the outbreak of Covid-19, which left thousands of people jobless.
According to the council, poultry and piggery are showing growth due to the newly found passion from young farmers.
Speaking at a council meeting on Monday, sub-council chairperson, Vepaune Moreti explained the demand for the flightless feathered birds was fuelled by emerging tenders to supply eggs to primary schools in the district.
PIG PERSON: Sub-Council Chair, Moreti
“In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the office has experienced an increase in people showing much interest in rearing chickens in small scale,” he confirmed.
In total, the sub district has 384 poultry projects, of which 189 are for broilers and 195 layers.
“These projects also created jobs for 299 people,” Moreti revealed, adding 102 of that number were youth.
Moreti believes the interest in poultry by farmers in and around Maun is an opportunity to grow the poultry market in the area.
Although pigs have failed to capture the imagination with the same enthusiasm, the industry is also on the up.
“The pig production has gained in the sub district and the pork production business has shown much improvement,” noted the sub-council chair.
Breaking down the numbers, Moreti said the sub-district currently has 22 pig farmers, boasting a total stock of 909 pigs, with 45 employees hired to work on the farms.
Further, these producers are said to be experiencing challenges of stock theft and shortage of feed which, when available, is very expensive.
“This leads to production of poor quality meat since they are now forced to supplement with vegetables just to sustain their livestock,” added Moreti, who doubles as a pig farmer besides his political career.