Policy on Game Ranching

Botswana Policy on Game Ranching is a national sectoral policy providing directions for the development of a game ranching industry and implementation guidelines for the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act of 1992. Its main objectives are the increase of economic returns from wildlife resources outside National Parks, Game Reserves, and Wildlife Management Area and the development of a game ranching industry that will provide a commercially viable and environment friendly industry.
Game ranching will contribute to poverty reduction by providing scope for economic diversification in rural areas and a boost in employment opportunities by promoting the local processing of the products of the industry in small, medium and large scale enterprises.
To help with conservation efforts nationally protected and partially protected species will be allowed for game ranching purposes for the benefit of possible reintroduction into the wild.
To increase efficiency the strategy will aim at maximizing the role of the private sector in the development of game ranching as well as the processing and marketing of its products, with Government playing a facilitative role. The Government will also facilitate the development of an internal and external market for wildlife and its products. Investment incentives will include existing investment stimulation schemes such as CEDA and efforts to minimize the high startup costs by combining cattle and game ranching. Extension services will be provided by the Matlhoa Phuduhudu Demonstration Game Ranch that will serve as a focal point for training, extension and research in game ranching.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks will be the main implementing agent of this policy while the Department of Animal Health and Production will monitor and advise on animal health aspects in game ranches and provide veterinary services as needed. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Wildlife and Tourism will also be involved regarding the development of small and medium scale enterprises for the processing of wildlife products and their specific marketing strategy.