Bechuanaland Protectorate report / Commonwealth Relations Office.

  • Great Britain. Office of Commonwealth Relations.
Date:
[1965]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Bechuanaland Protectorate report / Commonwealth Relations Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    51/186 (page 53)
    The Pupil Stockman’s Scheme has been slowed up by the short¬ age of trained Demonstrators; nevertheless,over 180 stockmen have already joined the scheme. One of the important practices advocat¬ ed — that of feeding salt and bonemeal in the phosphorous-deficient areas — has caught on rapidly with stockmen in the scheme and outside of it, because of its immediate and visible effects in improv¬ ing the condition of stock. Because of the highly individual and concentrated nature of the tuition offered to members of the Pupil Farmers Scheme, it will never be economically possible to extend the scheme to include the majority of the population. Other methods of extension are there¬ fore also being explored. Among the most fertile of these methods is likely to be farm broadcasting. Despite Radio Bechuanaland’s present shortages of equipment and studio space, a start was made with this cheap, uni¬ versal and effective method of teaching in November, 1965. An Agricultural Demonstrator was trained by the Australian Broadcast¬ ing Commission for three months and is now broadcasting a half hour programme of rural news, market reports and extension advice every Friday. Once equipment and facilities become available, it is hoped to develop this into a daily 15 minute programme in 1966. Full-scale operation of another “group extension” scheme was impossible because no staff could be recruited, but the department’s cinema van toured the country, giving shows and demonstrations in each Tribal Territory. The number of meetings and demonstrations held by field staff was also stepped up. The department’s Information Services suffered from the lack of adequate staff, although a con¬ siderable improvement in the supply of information to the staff and the general public was brought about in 1965. Because of staff shortages, little help could be given to Euro¬ pean farmers in the freehold farming blocks. An Agricultural and Livestock Officer was appointed to serve the Tuli Block, but he was unfortunately unable to stay there for more than a few months. FISHERIES Dr. Maar’s report on the fisheries potential of Northern Bech- uanaland was submitted in August. Efforts are now being made to recruit a Fisheries Officer to carry out his recommendations. Dr. Maar estimated that the waters of Ngamiland and the Chobe District could produce up to 4,500 tons of fish a year. Utilization of this