For the farming communities that surround Botswana’s wildlife areas, the dry season is an annual test of skill and endurance. When grazing lands wane and water becomes scarce, the pressure to feed livestock intensifies. The same can be said for the wildlife that depends on natural resources to feed themselves; and when livestock are hungry, they are likely to roam further into areas that can bring them in shared spaces with wildlife.
To tackle the consequences of the dry season, the Farming for Conservation (FFC) team convened a workshop in the village of Samane to address this challenge head on. Working in close collaboration with the Jwaneng Department of Animal Production, we brought together close to 60 farmers from surrounding villages for a day of practical training focused on improving livestock feeding practices during the dry season. Together they worked through the challenges farmers face when grazing runs out.
The Department of Animal Production led a hands-on demonstration in feed mixing, showing how nutritious supplements can be made from readily available materials like grass and leaves. The real value-add was the expertise that came from the farmers themselves, who were actively engaged throughout. They shared their own methods and the various innovations that have worked on their land. The result was an open and collaborative environment where practical solutions emerged from the collective knowledge of those present.
The farmers left with a deeper understanding of livestock nutrition and skills they can apply on their own farms. They also developed a clearer awareness of how these feeding practices connect to wildlife conservation, as we strive to not only talk about promoting coexistence, but make every one of our stakeholders an active participant in achieving this vision.
We are grateful to the Department of Animal Production for their partnership and to every farmer who showed up, asked questions, and shared their experiences. It is this kind of collaboration that makes coexistence possible.
To tackle the consequences of the dry season, the Farming for Conservation (FFC) team convened a workshop in the village of Samane to address this challenge head on. Working in close collaboration with the Jwaneng Department of Animal Production, we brought together close to 60 farmers from surrounding villages for a day of practical training focused on improving livestock feeding practices during the dry season. Together they worked through the challenges farmers face when grazing runs out.
The Department of Animal Production led a hands-on demonstration in feed mixing, showing how nutritious supplements can be made from readily available materials like grass and leaves. The real value-add was the expertise that came from the farmers themselves, who were actively engaged throughout. They shared their own methods and the various innovations that have worked on their land. The result was an open and collaborative environment where practical solutions emerged from the collective knowledge of those present.
The farmers left with a deeper understanding of livestock nutrition and skills they can apply on their own farms. They also developed a clearer awareness of how these feeding practices connect to wildlife conservation, as we strive to not only talk about promoting coexistence, but make every one of our stakeholders an active participant in achieving this vision.
We are grateful to the Department of Animal Production for their partnership and to every farmer who showed up, asked questions, and shared their experiences. It is this kind of collaboration that makes coexistence possible.
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