Botswana Helps 591 Farmers Boost Cattle Herds with AI

For cattle farmers in Botswana's vast Okavango District, getting access to veterinary services used to mean traveling impossible distances across wildlife-filled terrain. Since 2019, that's changed for 591 farmers who now receive government-provided artificial insemination services through the Nokaneng AI Camp.

Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Baratiwa Mathoothe shared the progress in Parliament this week. He acknowledged the challenge of serving such a remote area but said the government remains committed to expanding access to these critical services.

The artificial insemination program helps farmers breed stronger, healthier cattle without needing to maintain expensive bulls. It improves genetics, boosts reproduction rates, and ultimately helps families build more sustainable livelihoods from their herds.

Despite damage from wildlife to the Nokaneng facility, the government continues maintaining the camp to keep services running. Plans are underway to open a second location at Kgomokgwana Quarantine Camp to reach even more farmers across the sprawling district.

The Ripple Effect runs much deeper than improved cattle. The Okavango region is benefiting from multiple interconnected programs designed to transform rural livelihoods while protecting the environment.

The Herding 4 Health project teaches sustainable livestock management that reduces conflicts between farmers and wildlife. Better herding practices mean healthier rangelands, fewer livestock losses to predators, and improved market access for beef.

A massive $98 million project backed by the Green Climate Fund launched in May 2025 to restore communal rangelands across Okavango, Kgalagadi, and Bobirwa regions. The initiative combines environmental restoration with economic opportunity, proving conservation and prosperity can grow together.

The Botswana Meat Commission has also introduced a Direct Cattle Procurement Scheme specifically targeting the Okavango and North West regions. This gives remote farmers better market access and fair prices for their cattle without middlemen eating into their profits.

All these efforts feed into President Duma Boko's vision of growing Botswana's national cattle population to five million. What once seemed impossible for isolated Okavango farmers now looks achievable with the right support and infrastructure.

For communities living alongside elephants and lions, these programs prove that rural development doesn't require choosing between wildlife and livelihoods—both can thrive together with thoughtful planning and investment.