CCB Joins Forces with the Farming Community

Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB) has been instrumental in establishing farmers’ networks in areas where cheetahs thrive. These networks provide farmers with a useful avenue to discuss management methods, challenges and developments, all of which can have a significant impact on the wildlife that live in their areas. On the 27th May, the Southern Livestock Farmers Network (SOLIFANE) members, along with CCB staff attended the Southern District Beef Farmers Association annual field day. The theme of the day was ‘Evolving Towards Beef Sector Commercialisation’ and the bench marking trip provided the team with an opportunity to learn, experience and understand what it takes to venture into commercial farming. By helping farmers improve the productivity of their farming enterprises, CCB can help to safeguard communities against the pressures associated with farmer-cheetah conflict. For example, a farmer with only five goats is much more likely to be hard-hit by the loss of one goat to cheetahs, whereas a farmer with 100 goats will generally be less inclined to retaliate from the loss of only one animal.
 
This trip provided a fun way for farmers to learn more about the commercialization of their farming practices and we commend the network for being so committed to learning. We hope that with their newfound knowledge they will move towards a future of prosperity and coexistence with cheetahs.