National Development Bank (NDB) has identified the setup of small stock feedlots in Ngamiland as opportunity that farmers could viably harness to diversify the farming sector and grow the value chain.

This call was made by NDB’s Gotsileone Lempadi when addressing the Ngamiland Council of non-Governmental organizations at Maun Lodge recently.

Lempadi stated: ‘’ the current market is suitable for passive feedlots not heavy feedlotting where farmers can grow fodder to feed small stock. Feedlotters can buy small stock feed and sell to the producers. This is an opportunity available for the taking. You don’t need to farm small stock. You can just reap this kind of benefits and help grow the value chain. ’’

Lempadi explained that findings have shown that Ngamiland soil is good for fodder production offering farmers an opportunity to tap in to the sector.  ‘’ ideally the emerging feedlot sector could offer a new market and grow the value chain where fodder producers could sell their produce to the feedlotters.’’ 

Lack of localized production in areas of cattle and chicken feeds is another opportunity for the taking, according to NDB. Many poultry producers are struggling because of high chicken feeds, a problem that could be offset by local production, Said Lempadi.  

Lempadi reiterated the need for investments in manufacturing in Ngamiland given lack of interest in the manufacturing sector. However, he bemoaned that the cost of production and affiliated raw material transportation from South Africa and Gaborone remains a stumbling block and a looming nail in the coffin for the Ngamiland nascent manufacturing sector.  

 According to Lempadi the property development offers lot of promise especially in the area of warehousing. ‘’ As NDB we recently delivered 16 warehouse units all immediately taken. This is another area investors could look into’’ he said.   

Another trend, Lempadi warmed investors to is what he termed rising ‘consolidation’ in the tourism sector.