Gumaa Gabee Free Range Beef Cattle Ranch

Gumaa Gabee Free Range Beef Cattle Ranch

 

Ranch Number: 124

Crush Name: Gumaa Gabee

District: Mahalapye District

Extension Area: Mosolotshane South

Region: Western Sandveld

 

 

The rising African sun as viewed from Gumaa Gabee Cattle Ranch - Xoohabele

Gumaa Gabee is a free range beef cattle ranch located in Xoohabele in the Western Sandveld, of the Central District on the edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). The biophysical environment of the ranch is fragile, most natural resources are exhaustible, and the primary resource that cattle are dependent on is finite, therefore the commercial growth and development of the ranch must be accompanied by environmental protection to ensure that development is sustainable economically, socially and physically, not just economically.

The recommended carrying capacity for the Western Sandveld at the time of the original assessment was 600 cattle herd for a ranch that is divided into four (4) paddocks. It is very important that these facts and statistics are taken into account by the ranch management framework as the project seeks to propel Gumaa Gabee’s economic growth to greater heights because economic development is contingent upon the dynamics of nature and resources derived from it.

The first inhabitants of the vast expanse of a flat and featureless terrain with an eclectic mix of dry bushes, shrubs, savannah grasslands and desert that comes alive in the rainy season were the San people (Bushmen) commonly known as Basarwa. Basarwa adapted to the harsh weather of the expanse landscape and survived by hunting game and gathering wild berries and tubes from these pastures. Their excellent hunting skills and nomadic lifestyle has been curtailed by declining game numbers and civilization. Many have assimilated into the predominantly Tswana tribes while a few now live and work on farms in the area. 

The Sandveld provides extensive grazing of chemical free native rangeland pastures. It was the lure of the suitability of the Savannah grass species composition to beef cattle farming that drew Charles to establish his cattle post here in 1978. When in 2003, Charles was allocated a ranch in the area, he made a substantial capital investment in the ranch. Today, Gumaa Gabee beef cattle ranch is a certified Fenced Farm operation which is fully equipped with an all-round parameter fence, five paddocks, two boreholes, four reservoirs,  kraals, cattle crushes, loading ramps, a farm house and servants quarters with ablution facilities. 

In 2011 Charles expressed his wish to scale down his participation in the running of the ranch and invited all his children to come up with proposals for the management of the ranch. This document is in response to that invitation. It attempts to articulate the Legacy Project which seeks to facilitate the integration and alignment of strategic and operational issues through an innovative value-added transformation of the ranch into a dynamic market - oriented farming enterprise. The Legacy Project further seeks to facilitate entrepreneurship and enterprise development through training and mentorship programmes that will institutionalise high performance in livestock production and enhance stakeholders participation in the beef value chain from the ‘farm to the fork’ through innovative marketing techniques. Gumaa Gabee cattle ranch forms the nexus of the Legacy Project. The ranch serves as the production plant of free range beef cattle farming enterprise.

 

 

Quote

“When you cease to dream you cease to live.” Malcolm Forbes

The Legacy Project

Charles Mokobi boasts an illustrious ancestry of consummate farmers. Like folks of their era, his grandparents, Rra Seanokeng and Mma Johane of Nswazwi village in Serowe had lived off the land and depended on subsistence crop and livestock farming. His father Rev. Lekgowe Hamilton Mokobi (1908 – 1980), had spent his childhood and youth shuttling between herding the family livestock in Letlhaka during school holidays and attending school in Serowe. Lekgowe would later take up teaching as a career before he surrendered his life to serving God as a minister in the Spiritual Healing Church.

Rev. Hamilton Lekgowe Mokobi (1908 -1980)   

All the while he pursued his career and calling, Lekgowe continued in the great farming tradition of the Mokobi family. Charles recalls that his father was a man of solid faith and devotion to God and a strong commitment and dedication to his set goals. He was especially committed to education and farming. Charles fondly remembers that his father, ‘had let out a full span of sixteen oxen under the watchful eye of Rre Sekwati to ferry building materials for the construction of Moeng Collage,’ whilst a school head at Masokola Primary School in 1950.

Moeng Collage had been built through a community self-help initiative driven by Bangwato Regent, Kgosi Tshekedi Khama and Lekgowe had contributed to the project notwithstanding the prevailing acrimonious relationship between Bakalanga and Bangwato over the latter’s hegemony. Apart from his dedication to serving God, pastoral farming and teaching had been the twin vocations that Lekgowe pursued with a passion.  

Mrs Keitheng Mokobi (1911 – 1966)

Charles mother, Keitheng Mokobi (1911 – 1966) was the youngest daughter of renowned farmers Mmogwa and Ntizho Sedie of Dengu ward of Serowe. She would later grow up to become a devoted wife, loving mother and prolific farmer herself. Her doting son, Charles fondly remembers her as an, ‘industrious agriculturalist who single handedly managed the family ploughing fields in Bojelakhudu.’ 

Coming from such a fine pedigree of farmers, Charles was a strapping 18 year old adolescent in 1958 when his father gave each of his children a cow from amongst his herd in Leetselenthe, south of Serowe. This was Charles first cow. As a budding herdsman with an endearing love for cattle, Charles took to farming with passion and vigour. He had nurtured his herding skills in his formative years while herding his maternal aunt’s goats and calves during school holidays in Itsokwane lands outside Moiyabana.

Blessed with an exceptional calving, mortality and offtake rates the cow would go on to amass a staggering 32 offspring and descendants by 1976 when he went on to bolster his herd with the purchase of 21 cows from R.A. Baily Stores in Serowe and a bull from the Lobatse Estates Farm.

On completion of his law studies at the University of Lesotho, Charles joined the civil service and was ultimately posted to Gaborone. The country’s road network was in a terrible state in those days, “Botswana had only 6km of tarred road in 1966” and living in Gaborone did not bode well for cattle farming 500 km from ones place of work. However, Charles was not daunted, he was determined to make this cattle farming enterprise a success. He religiously traversed the long journey of unforgiving off-road Kalahari terrain at the end of every month to check on his investment. 

As his herd grew, Charles responded to the challenges of congestion and overgrazing in Leetselenthe by joining an exodus of pioneer farming tribesmen who tracked West in search of extensive native rangeland pastures of what is today, Western Sandveld bordering the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). After successfully drilling a borehole in May 1978, Charles relocated his herd of 64 cattle and 9 calves to Gumaa Gabee cattle post in Xoohabele in December of the same year. 

 

The late Polai Nkgololang and his wife Mosadiwalebaka Polai - Polai was the herdsman who looked after Rev. Hamilton Lekgowe Mokobi’s cattle in Leetselenthe
 

The Government of Botswana had introduced the Tribal Land Grazing Policy (TGLP) in 1975 followed by the fencing component of the National Policy on Agricultural Development (NPAD) in 1991 in an endeavour to ensure sustainable use and prudent management of rangeland resources, as well as, to enhance livestock productivity. Charles benefited from this programme and was allocated a 6km x 6km ranch in 2003. From humble beginnings, Charles’ cattle farming enterprise has shown considerable strides and today the Gumaa Gabee free range beef cattle ranch is fully developed and issued a Certificate of Fenced Farm Registration which endorses its legal, ecological and administrative compliance to best farm management practices, requirements and regulations.  

Charles is a devote Catholic who has lived a long, fulfilling and accomplished life. He has been an avid sportsman and administrator, a passionate community and parish servant and he has served his country with distinction. He was bestowed with the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service by former President Festus Mogae in 2002 in recognition of his outstanding service both in government and for the community. Together with his wife, Kesitegile, they have dabbled in several successful business ventures in Serowe and the hinterlands. He is Chairman of the Serowe Trade Licencing Committee and member of Serowe Immigration Selection Board.

Now in the twilight of his life, Charles is thankful to his parents, family, friends, community and the Government of Botswana for his accomplishments in education, the arts, sports, business, farming, church and the civil service. He is especially thankful to God for his Grace and Blessings and has initiated the Legacy Project which commits to paper his gratitude, hopes and aspirations for the rich family farming tradition established and nurtured by his forebears and the future of the Gumaa Gabee beef cattle ranch.

The Legacy Project is an operational guide and financial proposal that seeks to implement several projects and initiatives which are intended to commercialise and diversify the Gumaa Gabee beef cattle farming enterprise. The project presents a business case for running of Gumaa Gabee cattle ranch to generate income, create employment opportunities and increase output, productivity and return on investment for stakeholders. 

The Legacy Project gives expression to Charles’ wish that his children, although educated and now following their respective careers, will also follow in the great family tradition of farming excellence. The project seeks to redefine Gumaa Gabee Cattle Ranches place in the beef cattle farming mainstream and facilitates evidence based planning that clearly demonstrates a solid management structure for the ranch, develops a policy and strategic framework that provides operational direction and financial guidance with illustrations on how resources such as money and effort are used in support of the ranches business needs and stakeholders return on investment.

 

Herdsmen - Charles flanked by sons, Aobakwe “Obza” (L) and Setho (R)

 

The Botswana Meat Commission

The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), a cooperative established in 1967 and owned by farmers, is the official exporter of Botswana beef. The BMC is the sole exporter of lean beef which features prominently in markets throughout the world particularly the European Union. With a monopoly over the export of both live cattle and beef products, the commission has achieved an excellent reputation for quality. The facility is certified to the ISO 9002 quality system throughout its processes, which guarantees production of quality beef.

 

Quality Beef
 

BMC also sells products directly to retailers in the local market and currently operates two abattoirs in Lobatse with a capacity of 800 cattle/day and Francistown with a capacity of 350 cattle/day have a combined capacity to slaughter 300,000 cattle per annum. A third abattoir in Maun has a capacity of 100 cattle per day. Both the Francistown and Maun abattoirs currently only service the local market due to the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the North East and North West Districts.     

To strengthen beef production support systems and product marketing, Government has embarked on a reduction of excess regulatory burden exercise which has resulted in the current review of BMC’s export monopoly to identify opportunities for liberalization of this sub-sector. Early indications are pointing to China emerging as a major importer of Botswana beef and beef products.

Over the years, the number of cattle supplied to the BMC has however been declining whilst domestic consumption has increased and local butcheries have attracted an increasing number of cattle made available for slaughter. BMC aims to turn the situation around and achieve an annual throughput of 40,000 head at its abattoirs. This plan creates investment opportunities for the beef and cattle farming enterprise.

Rethinking Beef Cattle Framing

Raising cattle has long been the most profitable farming activity in Botswana. The beef industry has evolved from a focus on basic survival to that of financial gain with sophisticated technological advances dramatically increasing yields.  The sub-sector is well established, and over 95% of the production is exported, much of it to Europe. The past decade has however been a challenging one for the cattle and beef industry owing to persistent droughts, overgrazing, low producer prices and increased operational costs. Botswana’s farming system, which has a large communal component compared to the commercial system predominant in neighbouring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, is a major contributory factor to low productivity indicators such as off-take and carcass cold dressed mass.

A number of studies, both by government and by independent researchers have recommended concerted reforms that will commercialise the sector and diversify it through viable, self-sustaining agricultural enterprises and projects. Key elements to bring about these reforms are strengthening production support systems, reduction of the excess regulatory burden, strengthening of efficiency in processing and marketing, improvement of incentives and land tenure arrangements, and liberalisation of markets.

 

The Legacy Project mantra: “Moremogolo go betlwa wa taola, wa motho o a ipetla”

 

On a global perspective, the trade liberalization policy pushed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is viewed in some quarters as a threat to the local beef industry. This is because beef processing has been a major beneficiary of preferential trade between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, which allows free access into the EU market.

                          

It is feared the renegotiation of the convention to comply with WTO Free Trade Agreement is likely to see the removal of this preferential treatment for Botswana beef and thus open up the EU market for stiff international competition. This is likely to result in a significant fall of beef prices which will impact adversely on the rural economy. As the privileged access to the EU market remains in place the country needs to reposition the industry in light of both local and global developments. This entails strategic thinking to take the industry forward and upscale it to commercially competitive levels.

Lessons drawn from the declining diamond industry revenue indicate that over reliance on narrow volatile external markets have proved unsustainable. In view of the emerging structural and strategic shifts in the beef cattle farming landscape there is a compelling need for a total transformation of the industry by institutionalising high performance in the beef production value-chain and using cattle by-products to add value and create jobs. Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang (2011) believes that if done right, “Cattle can still reclaim their true position as ‘diamonds’ to an ordinary Motswana – Kgomo ke teemane ya Motswana, as they say.”

Government recognises that while diamond mining has created a platform for growth in the past few decades, it is forecast that mineral revenues will decline substantially over the next two decades. For this reason economic diversification continues to be promoted, and the values of a free enterprise economy encouraged through the drive to create a more investment-friendly environment in which the private sector can flourish.

At present, government’s focus lies on reversing the negative effects and continuing fallout from the recent global economic crisis. The country faces an urgent challenge of implementing strategies to resume rapid economic growth, while broadening sources of growth beyond the mineral sector to make its economy more resilient to external shocks.

Farming, especially beef cattle farming remains one of the areas that plays a critical role in the socio-economic lives of Batswana and can contribute immensely towards the country’s economic diversification drive. Government has facilitated this process by creating a private sector enabling and supportive policy environment, stimulating increased investment flows and enhancing the competitiveness of farmers.

 Farmers are therefore challenged to embrace the fusion between government’s facilitation of farming, emerging best farming practises, new technologies and even indigenous knowledge to foster strategic and highly productive investments in the beef cattle farming sub-sector.

This rapidly changing farming environment, presents Gumaa Gabee with a complex challenge of urgently initiating reforms that entail development of a management framework that spells out techniques and processes that will manage the farming enterprise. The logic of the reforms is to facilitate evidence based planning and clearly demonstrate a solid management structure for the ranch, develop a policy and strategic framework that provides operational direction and financial guidance with illustrations on how resources such as money and effort are used in support of the ranches business needs and stakeholders return on investment. This entails development of the management framework must be aligned to the government’s policies and dovetailed to national goals and strategic objectives.

Zero tooth prime - Quality stock

 

Beef Cattle Farming Industry Overview

The economy of Botswana has historically been agriculturally driven until 1967 when diamonds were first discovered. Agriculture remains the critical source of livelihood for most Batswana with a majority of Batswana living in rural areas dependent on subsistence crop and livestock farming. The industry plays a critical role in the socio-cultural and economic lives of Batswana and has contributed immensely towards the country’s economic diversification drive through the creation of employment and wealth.

The Government has, as a result, put a lot of effort into creating an enabling environment through sound macro-economic policies and an increased budgetary provision for the sector. Government intervention has included creation of sector capacity through skills development, access to capital, low tax rates and exchange control liberalization. Disease control is stringent, and the country’s Vaccine Institute is a regional leader in vaccine production and supply. Government, through the National Development Plan 10 (NDP 10) which covers the period April 2009 to March 2016, underpins the importance of boosting agricultural yields and productivity in order to expand incomes and create sustainable jobs.

In 2003/04, agriculture contributed 2.3 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), out of which about 70% - 80% is attributed to cattle production. Cattle production remains the mainstay for Botswana’s rural economy as a source of income, employment and investment opportunities. The cattle farming industry also has strong linkages with the rest of the economy as a supplier of inputs for meat processing, leather products and other industries in the beef supply chain which play a vital role in the rejuvenation of rural economies.  

While the country’s cattle population has fluctuated between 2.5 and 3 million, the Department of Veterinary Service Report (2008), indicates that there are 2.5 million cattle in Botswana. These are kept under two production systems, being the Traditional/Communal and the Commercial systems.

The traditional/communal system is characterized by cattle posts where cattle are grazed on communal unenclosed, tribally administered land with no individual security of land tenure and a traditional right to grazing of unlimited cattle numbers. No selection is done in traditional/communal areas resulting in random breeding which is not desired by farmers.

On the other hand, the commercial freehold farming system is characterized by fenced ranches. Currently, the traditional/communal system accounts for approximately 80% of the national cattle population, while the commercial system accounts for 20%.

However while the livestock sub-sector is the most important agricultural enterprise in Botswana, the performance of the beef industry is not satisfactory due to overgrazing, overstocking, low off take rates, Cold Dress Mass (CDM) and calving percentages. Part of the problem is attributed to communal grazing systems that constrain farmers from undertaking livestock improvement activities, such as controlled breeding and supplementary feeding.

These constraints manifest themselves in low agricultural productivity which meets only a small portion of the country’s food needs and contributes just 2.8% to GDP, primarily through beef exports. The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) is the official exporter of Botswana beef and the main market for the country’s beef has been the lucrative European Union, (EU) with China fast emerging as an additional viable market.

To address these constraints government has developed new strategies to commercialize the beef industry through weaner production and stud breeding. The Ministry of Agriculture plans to increase the national cattle herd from 2.5 million to 3.5 million and offtake rates from 8% to 20% to ensure that the sub-sector remains the social and cultural touchstone. This can only be achieved through supportive policy environment, provision of appropriate technologies and extension messages and a robust private sector participation in the beef cattle farming value chain.

Charles Gaobohula Pelotshweu Mokobi

When former President, Sir Ketumile Masire stated that he was a farmer borrowed to the politics and ultimately the presidency, I could have sworn that he was reading my father, Charles Gaobohula Pelotshweu Mokobi’s life script and had substituted Public Service for the Presidency. Charles has been a cattle farmer all his life, even while on loan to the Civil Service for some time, cattle farming was always a vocation he has pursued with passion.

                           

Charles Gaobohula Pelotshweu Mokobi - Mperi – Ntombo – Khupe wa ka Nkobadole Ka Nswazwi Serowe

Born into a family of distinguished farmers, Charles established and managed Gumaa Gabee cattle post from its humble beginnings in 1978 and worked tirelessly developing the enterprise into the burgeoning free range beef cattle ranch it is today. Although farming is wrought with challenges, Charles’ commitment, dedication and hard work ensured that the enterprise served him very well and supported his family benevolently. He indicates in his memoirs that he could not have achieved what he has in life had it not been for the cattle farming enterprise. All his investments were funded to some extent by proceeds from this initiative.

A true master of his trade who knows when to surrender gracefully to age and hand over the baton to others to continue the race, and Charles has prepared well for this eventuality. In early 2011, he summoned us all his children to express his wish to scale down his participation in the running of the ranch and as he now prepares to retire, he embarks on an elaborate succession plan that will ensure sustained financial growth and development of the Gumaa Gabee business venture.

The Legacy Project enunciates this plan and presents a Business Case for free range beef cattle farming enterprise on Gumaa Gabee. The Business Case facilitates evidence based planning through a situational analysis that seeks to present a reasonable degree of understanding of the ranches current business environment with the view of ultimately establishing a policy and strategic framework that will provide operational direction and financial guidance for the enterprise.

The projects strategic goal is to transform the ranch into a viable business enterprise that offers produce and services that exceed expectations of the local and regional markets. The project will achieve this through institutionalising performance optimisation processes that improve livestock production and the commercial output of the ranch through increased turnover and profit maximisation.

The Legacy Project as the name suggests, builds on the great farming tradition of the Mokobi family and the heritage that Charles leaves. It ushers in the next generation of farmers through adoption of best practices and techniques to ensure that beef cattle farming on Gumaa Gabee remains relevant and profitable in the emerging sophistication and technological advancement of the 21^st century farming environment.