06 Mar 2025

The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture is focused on improving land management to fastrack contribution of the agricultural sector to the country’s GDP.

Presenting the ministry’s budget proposals for the 2025/26 financial year, acting minister Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the aim was to increase significantly the current two per cent of the sector’s contribution to GDP to atleast 10 per cent by 2036.

The proposed budget, which was duly passed by Parliament, included an estimated amount over P2.44 billion as recurrent budget and P2.88 billion as development budget. Dr Dikoloti said to improve land management, land authorities being land boards and the Department of Lands should be supported with relevant technology, such that support was extended to individual households to enable food security.

“We must be able to produce food of appropriate quality and quantities to enable extras, which can then be exported. Secondly, Botswana must be able to operate with or within global standards that can match international competition,” said Dr Dikoloti.

He said Hemp production was an area to aid diversification of the economy, grow the agricultural sector, and create jobs.

"Considering the above requirements, and accepting that we own or have the land, but not the money, technology, or requisite skills there has to be an openness to pursue and accept foreign direct investment (FDI) in our value chains,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti said research institutions such as the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute could chart the path and assist the agricultural sector with scientific knowledge. He said the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) and Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) needed to reform.

“BMC remains a national strategic asset that could add value in the same manner it has done in the distant past. BAMB is in a similar position and is a core element of the value chain,” said Dr Dikoloti.

He said troubling pests like the African Armyworm was a threat to food security. Dr Dikoloti said it was necessary to boost extension services, both on the arable and livestock sub-sectors side as it was an area of public interest.

Debating the proposed budget, Bobirwa Member of Parliament Mr Taolo Lucas emphasised on land allocation, saying the ministry should set a target of allocating 150 000 residential plot in the coming financial year. He said appointment of landboard members should target people who were knowledgeable on land issues.

MP Motsamai Motsamai of Charleshill said agriculture programmes must not be a one size fits all, but should be guided by what was best for a particular location. He said it was important to have a bank focused on agriculture, adding that loan payment plan and loan servicing must be guided by how and when the financed activity generated income. He said it was necessary to have roads connecting production areas to the market.

Mr Palelo Motaosane of Thamaga/ Kumakwane said the agriculture sector faced shortage of human resource especially extension officers. He said available few were not well resourced. Despite the good rains, Mr Motaosane said farmers were likely to produce low yields due to lack of proper guidance due to shortage of field workers.

Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe of Serowe North urged government to prioritise reopening of the Serowe milk processing  plant which used to supply a number of institutions being Serowe College of Education, Palapye Primary Hospital and Sekgoma Memorial Hospital. Mr Mathoothe added that farmers must be encouraged to venture into fodder production.

Dr Edwin Dikoloti concurred with legislators that shortage of extension service officers was a challenge resulting in low produce. Therefore, he said the ministry was proposing a department focused on extension service to close the existing gap in service provision to the farmers.

Even though appreciating the call to reduce the six kilometres distance between livestock farming boreholes, he advised legislators to heed the impeding climate changes affecting yields of ground water sources. He emphasised the importance of improving maintenance of cordon fences as barriers to restrict movement of cattle and control the spread of diseases. ENDS