Botswana’s government has begun the phased importation of at least 1 000 Girolando cattle from Brazil, with the intention of reducing reliance on imports of dairy products. Reportedly the first 186 pregnant females arrived recently after travelling from Brazil by cargo plane.
By Lloyd Phillips, journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
The officially recognised composite Girolando dairy breed that was developed in Brazil, comprises 62.5% (five eighths) Holstein (Bos taurus) and 37.5% (three eighths) Gir (Bos indicus). The Girolando combines the high milk production of European Holsteins with the tropical heat and disease resistance of Indian Gir cattle, making it well-suited for Botswana’s climate.
Reportedly 80% of Brazil’s total milk production is now produced by Girolando herds owned predominantly by small- to medium-scale farmers operating in sub-tropical and tropical conditions. From what African Farming can ascertain, Nigeria, Benin and Kenya have already been experimenting and working with Girolando cattle for their own dairy industries.
In recent years, investment by the state-owned Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) has gradually established the Milk Valley Farm in the country’s Lobatse district, close to the border with South Africa. The farm is built to produce over 18 million litres of milk annually and thereby satisfy roughly 29% of Botswana’s entire local demand.
Also watch: Meet Brazil’s ‘tough as nails’ Gir/Gyr dairy cattle breed
Official FMD-free compartment
The Lobatse district has, like other parts of Botswana, experienced outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) since the start of 2026, including among some of the approximately 200 top-quality imported beef cattle genetics at the Ramatlabama National Artificial Insemination Laboratory about 44 kilometres from Milk Valley Farm.
The BDC states that Milk Valley Farm has “robust biosecurity measures” enabling it to recently achieve approved FMD-free dairy compartment status.
Botswana’s ministry of transport and infrastructure was responsible for managing the complex international logistics, air travel and specialised cargo handling required to safely fly the first Girolando cattle into the country. All 186 animals were transported in a Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 Freighter.
In a statement the ministry says the specialised air charter required careful coordination to ensure the flight met international animal welfare standards, including veterinary protocols and climate-controlled logistics.
Watch as the first 186 pregnant imported Girolando females arrive at Botswana’s Milk Valley Farm
Girolandos for contract producers
Baratiwa Mathoothe, assistant minister of trade and entrepreneurship, told Botswana’s parliament in March the full procurement process for all 1 000 imported Girolando females was projected to span 24 months.
“To ensure the project’s long-term success, the Brazilian suppliers will provide an intensive 18-month technical training programme. This partnership includes on-site training at the dairy facilities and comprehensive coursework covering breeding, nutrition and herd management.”
In his state of the nation address in November 2025, Botswana’s president Duma Boko said his government was finalising out-grower programme guidelines to engage contract dairy farmers around Lobatse, with future expansion planned across other regions once a sustainable business model was established. Girolando genetics are intended to be a major part of this plan.
African Farming attended Brazil’s ExpoZebu cattle exhibition from 26 April to 4 May last year. To read our story and watch our video about the remarkable Gir cattle breed that forms part of the Girolando, click here.
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