Cattle are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus Bos. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult males are referred to as bulls.
Agricultural statistics are compiled from annual agricultural surveys and decennial censuses in order to establish trends in agricultural production in the form of time series data. The statistics are used by various stakeholders including Government, private sector, research institutions, and NGOs. The Government of Botswana, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, uses agricultural statistics for evidence-based decision-making and for the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies, programs, projects, and strategies geared toward improving agricultural productivity and rural incomes so as to achieve national food security and reduce poverty.
Agricultural data covers crop production, animal production, and agriculture in general. Data from the Traditional/Subsistence sector (cattle posts, land, and villages) is collected on the following indicators;
- System of land tenure
- Farming practices
- Area planted, harvested, and crop production by type
- Livestock population and production by type (cattle, sheep, goats)
- Sale of livestock and crop harvests
- Other livestock populations (poultry, donkeys/mules, horses, dogs, and others)
- Availability of farm labor
- Water supply, farm equipment, and machinery inventory
- Farm enterprises
- Disease control measures
- Impact of Government assistance programs e.g. NAMPAAD, ISPAAD, etc.
Data from the Commercial sector (farms and ranches) include;
- Cash crops (beans/pulses, sunflower, groundnuts, wheat, cotton, Lucerne, etc.)
- Vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, spinach, carrots, etc.)
- Fruits (oranges, naartjies, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, watermelons, green millies)
- Dairy cattle
| Livestock type | Traditional population | Commercial Population | Total livestock population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle | 1,596,605 | – | 1,596,605 |
| Goats | 1,605,642 | – | 1,605,642 |
| Sheep | 227,247 | – | 227,247 |
| Donkeys/Mules | 227,200 | – | 227,200 |
| Horses | 26,827 | – | 26,827 |
| Chickens | 1,017,444 | – | 1,017,444 |
Does Botswana have more cows than people?
Conclusion: There are (usually) more cattle than people in Botswana.
How many goats are there in Botswana?
The goat population in Botswana was estimated to be 1.6 million in 2013, and the sheep population at just under 300,000 (Statistics Botswana, 2015).
How many sheep are in Botswana?
227,247
Agriculture
| Livestock type | Traditional population | Total livestock population |
|---|---|---|
| Sheep | 227,247 | 227,247 |
| Donkeys/Mules | 227,200 | 227,200 |
| Horses | 26,827 | 26,827 |
| Chickens | 1,017,444 | 1,017,444 |