Thursday, March 23, 2023
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • E-edition
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Economy
  • Columns
  • Companies & Markets
  • In Business With
  • Lifestyle
    • Motoring
  • Sports
    Botswana’s women boxing on the rise 

    Boxers Finally Receive their Prize Money from 2022 African Championships

    Darts Expects Only P50K from BNSC for 2023/24

    Darts Expects Only P50K from BNSC for 2023/24

    Botswana athletes to train in USA

    Botswana athletes to train in USA

    Debswana’s BAA Sponsorship Plays Critical Role in Developing BW Athletics – Theetso

    Debswana’s BAA Sponsorship Plays Critical Role in Developing BW Athletics – Theetso

    Boxers yet to Receive Prizes from 2022 African Boxing Championships 

    Boxers yet to Receive Prizes from 2022 African Boxing Championships 

    April will see 2nd Instalment of Summer Kids Marathon

    April will see 2nd Instalment of Summer Kids Marathon

    Trending Tags

    • Subscribe
    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • News
    • Economy
    • Columns
    • Companies & Markets
    • In Business With
    • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
    • Sports
      Botswana’s women boxing on the rise 

      Boxers Finally Receive their Prize Money from 2022 African Championships

      Darts Expects Only P50K from BNSC for 2023/24

      Darts Expects Only P50K from BNSC for 2023/24

      Botswana athletes to train in USA

      Botswana athletes to train in USA

      Debswana’s BAA Sponsorship Plays Critical Role in Developing BW Athletics – Theetso

      Debswana’s BAA Sponsorship Plays Critical Role in Developing BW Athletics – Theetso

      Boxers yet to Receive Prizes from 2022 African Boxing Championships 

      Boxers yet to Receive Prizes from 2022 African Boxing Championships 

      April will see 2nd Instalment of Summer Kids Marathon

      April will see 2nd Instalment of Summer Kids Marathon

      Trending Tags

      • Subscribe
      No Result
      View All Result
      The Business Weekly & Review
      No Result
      View All Result
      Home News

      Irvine’s invests in Botswana’s small scale poultry sector

      mm by Baboloki Meekwane
      November 24, 2022
      in News
      Reading Time: 3 mins read
      0
      Irvine’s invests in Botswana’s small scale poultry sector

      GABORONE 18 November 2022, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi officiates the opening of the Irvine’s Feed Mill in the outskirt of Gaborone on 18 November 2022. Minister of trade and industry Mmusi Kgafela, Assistant minister of local government and rural development Mabuse Pule, Irvine’s group chief executive officer and BITC chief executive officer Keletsositse Olebile were present among the others during the ceremony. Masisi with the other dignitaries touring the facilities and operation areas after cutting and unveiling a placard to mark the official opening of the mill. (Pic:Monirul Bhuiyan/PRESS PHOTO)

      Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
      • Company supplies over 5000 growers, produces 18m day-old chicks and makes 48000 tons of feed per year
      • Supplies 60000 farmers across Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Tanzania with chicks and feed
      • Procures 26000 tons of maize a year from BAMB and local maize farmers

      In an effort to cement its brand in Botswana’s poultry sub-sector, integrated poultry producer Irvine’s has opened a feed mill in Mmamashia, just 15 kilometres north of Gaborone.

      Speaking at the official opening of the plant recently, President Mokgweetsi Masisi applauded Irvine’s for aligning its initiatives with priorities of government, saying since setting up operations in the country, the company has invested over P150 million, employing 180 Batswana, and thus contributing indirectly to uplifting the livelihoods of many Batswana in the broiler poultry industry.

      “Irvine’s poultry production contributes to almost 50 percent of all chicken meat consumed in Botswana,” said the President. “Irvine’s currently supplies over 5000 growers to mostly women and youth businesses, thereby positively contributing to their growth.  “It is therefore gratifying to witness the resurrection of the many small poultry businesses which were facing collapse in the early 2000s.”

      Masisi called on local maize farmers and other investors to participate in the value chain system created by Irvine’s, saying the company sources a significant portion of its maize requirements from local farmers and that the feed mill is expected to double its production. The President said Botswana’s increased food demand and ever-changing consumption habits have contributed to the country’s rising food import bill but present opportunities to exploit value chains in the agriculture sector.

      He noted that while Botswana is largely self-sufficient in poultry production, it is important to shift towards strengthening the value chains in the sub-sector in order to propel Botswana to become a net exporter of poultry products. “Such areas of focus include production of day-old chicks, feeds, poultry-related veterinarian products and diversified processed poultry products at competitive prices,” he said, adding that the sector has enormous potential to catalyse economic growth in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

      The company started operations in Botswana in 2002 initially producing Cobb day-old chicks and has since invested over P150 million in Irvine’s Botswana with hatchery expansions, state-of-the-art breeder farms, the latest investment being the feed mill. Explaining the significant role that Irvine’s plays in small scale poultry farming, the Group CEO Craig Irvine stated that the company produces 18 million day-old chicks and 48,000 tons of feed per year. More than 60 percent of this production goes into the small scale farming sector across Botswana, the balance to the commercial sector.

      “Most people do not understand the size and importance of the small scale sector which, outside of South Africa, produces more than 80 percent of the chicken consumed in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Irvine pointed out. “Irvine’s is proud to supply over 60,000 farmers across Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Tanzania with locally produced chicks and feed in each of these countries.” He noted that the company’s operations in Botswana have had a knock-on effect on the supply chain by procuring 26,000 tons of maize a year from the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) and local maize farmers.

      “This is just under 40 percent of our maize requirements and we are looking to increase this, going forward,” said Irvine. “As part of this effort, we will start a pilot project with Foundation for Farming, an organisation set up to help small and medium scale farmers improve yields and protect their soil.” Also speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela, said that the opening of the feed mill signifies and confirms the confidence that investors like Irvine’s Botswana have in the country’s ability, readiness and competitiveness as an investment destination of choice.

      He applauded the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) for continuing to extend and fortify the government’s intentions to grow and diversify the economy by attracting and facilitating investment in key economic sectors such as the agriculture sector. “Irvine’s Botswana has enjoyed red carpet service through the Botswana One Stop Service Centre which facilitates shortened and simplified administrative procedures for issuance of business approvals, permits and licenses,” Minister Mmusi said.

      Tags: Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB)Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC)COVID-19 pandemicCraig IrvineMmusi KgafelaMokgweetsi Masisi

      Navigation

      • Home
      • News
      • Economy
      • Columns
      • Companies & Markets
      • In Business With
      • Lifestyle
        • Motoring
      • Sports
      • Subscribe

      Recent News

      • March 17th Edition
      • NBFIRA Intervenes in BOPEU’s Controversial Insurance Deductions
      • The Sweet Nostalgia of The Goodiebag Factory
      • Wild Waters in the Blood: Nkashi Demystifies Poling
      • Trusts also Register for VAT and Income Tax

      Site

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • E-edition

      © 2021 The Business Weekly & Review. All Rights Reserved.

      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • News
      • Economy
      • Columns
      • Companies & Markets
      • In Business With
      • Lifestyle
        • Motoring
      • Sports
      • Subscribe

      © 2021 The Business Weekly & Review. All Rights Reserved.

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password? Sign Up

      Create New Account!

      Fill the forms below to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In
      This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
      Are you sure want to unlock this post?
      Unlock left : 0
      Are you sure want to cancel subscription?