Botswana Offers Start-Up Wildlife Stock to Farmers to Boost Agro-Tourism
VOA News|AFRICA
February 13, 2022 11:03 AM (source)
Botswana Offers Start-Up Wildlife Stock to Farmers to Boost Agro-Tourism
波札那政府提供初創野生動物種群給農民以促進農業旅遊
February 13, 2022 11:03 AM
Mqondisi Dube
VOA News 搶先看
為了將農業旅遊擴展到該國其他地區及對抗新冠肺炎對於旅遊業的影響,波札那政府啟動了一個允許一般民衆可擁有野生動物物在自己的田園的新倡議。這個新倡議會以旅遊目的地多樣化。允許的動物種類包括飛羚、長角羚羊、斑馬、大羚羊和疣豬,也不限制其他的種類。無論如何,因需要很多資源的因素,有些人對於這個倡議產生一些疑慮。
In a bid to boost agro-tourism, the Botswana government is offering wildlife start-up stock to farmers to keep in their ploughing fields. The government says the move will give locals an improved stake in the lucrative tourism sector.
Botswana's National Parks and Wildlife director, Kabelo Senyatso, said the government will run a pilot project between February and July this year, where farmers will receive start up stock.
Each farmer will get five animals per species, Senyatso said.
"The species that the department would be availing are impala, gemsbok, zebra, eland and warthog. It is important to clarify that applicants should not restrict themselves to these species, people can keep whatever wildlife that they are keen to keep. It is also important to clarify that the scheme that we are referring to relates to keeping of herbivores. It excludes carnivores," said Senyatso.
He said farmers must meet certain water, fencing and space requirements depending on the species they want to keep.
Randy Motsumi, a professional hunter, is keen to keep animals within his holding.
However, he is concerned the costs will be prohibitive due to start-up capital required.
"This is a very good initiative. But the problem now is the expenses. It is going to be very expensive for an ordinary Motswana. Just fencing will cost an ordinary Motswana over P1million [approximately 0,000]. So this initiative is good, but it needs a lot of funding," he said.
According to requirements, game keepers must ensure there is adequate fodder and reliable water supply.
The fence height should be between 1.5 and 2.4 meters depending on the species kept.
Conservationist Map Ives agrees that the venture requires a lot of resources.
"Wildlife farming or keeping is a highly specialized business, which requires huge capital outlay. If you are going to keep animals like eland which are capable of jumping extreme heights, you are going to need infrastructure. You will also need reliable water infrastructure supplying fresh portable water. A lot of water in western Botswana is quite saline," said Ives.
He adds the initiative might end up benefiting an elite few who have access to resources.
"I understand the principle of spreading the ownership or keeping wildlife to the people. They are also trying to spread tourism away from national parks or wildlife management areas into other parts of Botswana but again, I believe this is not well thought through and will probably benefit only elites who can afford to have large tracts of land, high quality infrastructure and people to look after that wildlife," he said.
In announcing the initiative in 2020, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said it was one of the ways to revive a tourism sector hard hit by COVID-19.
Botswana is one of Africa's leading tourism destinations, with the sector contributing 13% of the country's Gross Domestic Product.
Language Notes
註 1: bid 企圖得到,努力爭取
註 2: lucrative(尤指生意、職位或活動)賺錢的,盈利的
註 3: pilot 於本文為形容詞,意指試驗性的,試點的
註 4: scheme 意指方案,計劃
註 5: outlay 意指(尤指用於第一次投資的)開支,費用
註 6: saline 於本文為形容詞,意指含鹽的
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Check your comprehension!
Choose the BEST answer to each of the questions below. After you finish, highlight the parentheses to reveal the hidden answers.
1. ( B ) Which of the following is TRUE about the initiative to improve the tourism industry according to the article?
(A) It allows farmers to keep 1 animal of each species.
(B) It intends to help locals earn money in the tourism industry.
(C) It requires the public to keep wildlife as pets.
(D) It includes carnivorous animals exclusively.
2. ( A ) Which of the following words can best replace "prohibitive" in the article?
(A) restrictive
(B) cheap
(C) insane
(D) outdated
3. ( C ) What is NOT something Ives has mentioned regarding the initiative?
(A) The venture requires a lot of investment.
(B) The venture may only help a certain group.
(C) The venture will bring farmers high profits.
(D) The venture has good intentions but isn't well planned.
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