28 Apr 2025

Farming is the cornerstone of the country’s economy  as it plays a central role in driving the national development agenda.

Officiating at the Sandveld Ranchers Association Field Day on Saturday at Kagotsii Ranch, Western Sandveld, acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti said concerted efforts amongst government, farmers, and the private sector remained paramount in transforming production systems within the livestock sector. 

Therefore, he said such a move would unlock value chain opportunities within the sub-sector, and revitalise institutions such as the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC). He said there was  need to have a deliberate plan to transform and revitalise BMC, admitting that he was aware that a thriving BMC held a strong basis in reshaping and advancing the livestock sector.

Dr Dikoloti said government was aware  of  challenges faced by BMC hence their continued efforts to offer more options to farmers through the live cattle and meat export dispensation. This initiative, which began in 2019, he said had enabled the export of over 551 000 cattle, mainly to South Africa. 

Dr Dikoloti said while the dispensation had proven highly popular, his ministry was currently reviewing its long-term sustainability and alignment with its broader policy goals of inclusive development and wealth creation. 

In response to the long standing challenges faced by the livestock sector, Dr Dikoloti said government had taken bold and strategic steps to liberalise the industry.  Furthermore, he said one of the key reforms was the introduction of the Botswana Meat Industry Regulatory Authority (MIRA) Act, which became law in November 2023. 

This reform, he noted, was aimed at creating a more competitive meat industry, one that would empower both the BMC and emerging market players to thrive for the collective benefit of farmers and the national economy. 

In addition, he said the MIRA Board that was inaugurated in August 2024, had already begun delivering on its mandate to ensure fair regulation, improved efficiency, and greater market access across the sector. 

The acting minister said the central part of this transformation rested upon empowering farmers through knowledge. A farmer is the most valuable asset in agriculture, ‘kgomo ga e ithue,’ justifying why training in best practices and agribusiness principles were essential. He argued that if farmers  were equipped with the right skills, they would sustainably improve their livelihoods and those of their communities. 

He acknowledged that learning was more important than ever, to help navigate the global economic dynamics, and most importantly, to build resilience against the impact of climate change, which continued to threaten agrifood systems. 

He assured farmers that the government remained fully committed to supporting the livestock sector so as to reach its full potential and increase its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) beyond the current two per cent. 

Dr Dikoloti said a key pillar of this support was the implementation of a robust national biosecurity programme that would prevent and manage outbreaks of diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which was critical for maintaining access to key markets and safeguard farmers’ livelihoods. 

To this end, he said the government had therefore made a decision to engage private veterinarians who would carry out disease investigations and perform key specialists activities such as artificial insemination, semen tapping and embryo transplant. 

Moreover, he said his ministry was determined to build a more responsive and supportive system for farmers because the Ministry recognised the strategic importance of the beef industry, pointing not just in economic terms, but for preservation of international reputation for high quality meat. 

He assured farmers that a major turning point was underway at the BMC with some bold investments, pointing out that a P240 million budget had been approved for a new Meat Value Addition and Secondary Processing Plant. 

Dr Dikoloti said this state of the art facility would allow BMC to diversify its offerings and penetrate premium markets with high-value products. “It is projected to generate P500 million in revenue in its first year, more than triple the cannery’s 2023 record.” 

On other issues he said his ministry was due to launch the Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana’s Communal Rangelands Project, the initiative that was co-financed by the Botswana government, the Green Climate Fund, and Conservation International which  sought to build climate resilience among livestock farmers. 

In addition, he said the project would restore degraded rangelands and forests, improve livelihoods, and boost adaptive capacity in 104 villages across Bobonong, Maun, and Kgalagadi districts, adding it was climate action with tangible, grassroots impact. 

Dr Dikoloti acknowledged the vital role of the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI). He said as climate change tightens its grip, NARDI was at the forefront of conserving, selecting, and multiplying indigenous livestock breeds such as Tswana, Tuli, and the locally bred Mosi. 

“These are not only climate-resilient but also productive and adaptable. NARDI is also investing in fodder production research. The institute is currently evaluating various fodder crops under Botswana’s harsh climatic conditions and plans to partner with farmers to test these on-farms,” he said. Justifying the need for fodder production, Dr Dikoloti said producing own feed was no longer optional as it was a necessity for sustainable and profitable ranching. 

He said equally important was tackling bush encroachment as rangelands were being taken over by invasive woody species. 

To this end, he said NARDI had taken an initiative to convert bush into livestock feed and biochar, which enhanced soil fertility. Dr Dikoloti commended the Sandveld Ranchers for their dedicated efforts and demonstrating that farming could be both fashionable and profitable. He spoke of the need to embrace innovation, adapt to climate change, and produce with purpose and build a new Botswana; one that was food secure, economically vibrant, and globally competitive. 

Themed, ‘Reviving the livestock industry in the new state of affairs’ the field day was more than just showcasing Botswana’s finest beef production but a vital platform that brought together farmers, stakeholders, and policy makers from across the Southern Africa region to exchange ideas, explore innovative systems, and shape the future of the beef industry. ENDS