Utilisation of ICT for improved livestock traceability: a case for Botswana, a developing country perspective

Abstract

The paper aims to look at how the use of animal identification and traceability systems have been deployed in the country for improvement of animal production contributing to the country’s economy and food security for the people. The study’s concentration is on Botswana cattle traceability systems in the country. Livestock production is heavily relied upon for sustainability by people of Botswana. It is the most source of income followed by subsistence farming. The agricultural sector on the other hand faces a number of challenges such as population growth, shortage of water, climatic changes and urbanisation that hamper food production. According to Gosalamang et al.2012, Botswana has a livestock population of 3.36 million ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) out of which 15 per cent falls under a well-developed commercial farming system, comprising cattle ranching and feedlots coexists with a large number (85 per cent) of ruminants under the traditional or communal grazing system (unfenced ranges) comprising small farms. The country’ traditional livestock farming system is subdivided into two: (a) the traditional livestock farming system based on small herds or so-called cattle posts; and (b) the traditional livestock farming system, under the Tribal Grazing Land Policy (TGLP) of 1975 based on relatively large cattle herds being managed under the communal grazing system, but operating on a commercial basis (Gosalamang et al. 2012). On the other hand commercial cattle production system, comprising...