Ncojane is a small village located in the Ghanzi District in western Botswana, approximately 20 kilometres from the border with Namibia. The area is experiencing significant desertification due to poor livestock management practices and bushmeat poaching. These two factors result in a combination of unproductive rangelands, resulting in weak livestock and limited wildlife for carnivores to prey on. This results in the livestock in the area being more vulnerable to attacks from cheetahs, African wild dogs, leopards, jackals and lions. Recently we received reports from farmers in the area who lost a total of sixteen goats to predators, and our CCB’s Farming for Conservation (FFC) team was quick to respond and assist.
As part of its capacity building mandate, on the 4th of May 2023 CCB held a workshop at Ncojane, hosting farmers from nearby cattleposts and farms. This workshop was organised in response to the increasing reports of conflicts between farmers and predators. The workshop aimed to engage with farmers and share skills on carnivore-friendly farming techniques that these farmers could adopt to promote coexistence with carnivores. Topics that were discussed included grazing management, anti-poaching, reducing the risk of depredation and herd health. There were also presentations from different stakeholders who are involved in wildlife conservation issues; including the Department of Veterinary Services, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the Botswana Police and two local farmers’ Committees (Lesha Chasha and Ncojane Famers’ Committee). We are thankful to all involved in the workshop and hope that with the newfound information, these farmers will be equipped with the knowledge to improve the productivity of their farms whilst also coexisting with carnivores.
As part of its capacity building mandate, on the 4th of May 2023 CCB held a workshop at Ncojane, hosting farmers from nearby cattleposts and farms. This workshop was organised in response to the increasing reports of conflicts between farmers and predators. The workshop aimed to engage with farmers and share skills on carnivore-friendly farming techniques that these farmers could adopt to promote coexistence with carnivores. Topics that were discussed included grazing management, anti-poaching, reducing the risk of depredation and herd health. There were also presentations from different stakeholders who are involved in wildlife conservation issues; including the Department of Veterinary Services, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the Botswana Police and two local farmers’ Committees (Lesha Chasha and Ncojane Famers’ Committee). We are thankful to all involved in the workshop and hope that with the newfound information, these farmers will be equipped with the knowledge to improve the productivity of their farms whilst also coexisting with carnivores.
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