​CCB recently hosted an information stall for six days at the National Agriculture Show in Gaborone to distribute educational resources, and to engage with farmers about how they can achieve peaceful coexistence with cheetahs on their farms. The show ran from the 14th – 20th August 2017 under the theme, ’Practicing smart agriculture to combat the effects of climate change’. Officially opening the show, President Lt. Gen. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama urged Batswana to reduce the food import bill by increasing Botswana’s food production. He stated that agriculture has been identified as a driver for our economy hence emphasis should be put on food production development and security. Farmers were also encouraged to use modern technology in their agricultural practices to address climate change challenges. Through all the dust and winds that comes in the month of August, the show proved to be a great platform to open dialogue with spectators and stakeholders alike about the toolbox of solutions available to minimise livestock losses by carnivores. By having farmers that see themselves as conservationists and who are able to adapt their farming plans to climate change challenges, go a long way in promoting coexistence and securing our food production and development for sustainable economic growth.  

​‘I was very excited to know that I was going to talk on radio about our network and CCB activities, especially on human-wildlife conflict and coexistence options. We came fully prepared to share everything about our network; how well we have worked with CCB in our area of Samane and how important their work is to benefit our country’s tourism base. We are looking forward to such opportunities in the future as they will help us promote and extend our network to benefit us all in the end.” – Donald Simon, Southern Livestock Farmers Network (SOLIFANE) chairperson. Simon was joined by two SOLIFANE members and a representative from Jwaneng Department of Veterinary Services for an interview at Radio Botswana 1 studios in Gaborone on the 2nd August 2017. The SOLIFANE members all aced the interview by sharing how their farming experiences have changed from before CCB began working with them to after, as well as their views on conservation issues, and the benefits of working and learning together. CCB successfully established SOLIFANE in order to accelerate the members’ uptake of farming information and to help facilitate the transfer of knowledge between members, connect them with other stakeholders as well as assisting in transforming and developing their livelihoods through farming. We are very proud to be working with such an enthusiastic group who continue to gain a great deal from the network and its activities. We hope that the media will further stress that it is possible to farm productively alongside carnivores.