Africa-Press – Botswana. Government has set a minimum of six per cent target for the agricultural sector’s contribution to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Officially opening of the 2025 National Agricultural Show Friday in Gaborone, President Advocate Duma Boko said the target required Botswana to develop infrastructure to help achieve the six per cent gaol.
He also said Botswana aimed to increase the cattle herd to five million in three years and focus on improving the agricultural sector.
The target, the President said were to be attained regardless of challenges facing agriculture in Botswana.
“We set these targets fully alive of the circumstances we are in. Circumstances of climate vulnerability, circumstances of global economic shocks, the fact of the absence of a comprehensive agro financing framework, especially for small holder farmers, the reality of weak extension services.
The fact of slow adoption of modern technologies, challenge of inadequate infrastructure, fragmented value chains, bio security threats, policy and institutional weaknesses, data connectivity gaps and demographic challenges,” said President Boko.
He said government was the biggest player in the economy hence should work with the farmers to find structured ways of revamping the sector.
President Boko said farmers should be able to produce enough to assist the national school feeding programme, health facilities and even the prisons, with fresh produce.
“We must focus on processing, we must focus on producing the best and volumes that will enable us to be self-sufficient and also to export,” he said adding that farmers should inform the policy framework rather than let it be from the technocrats.
He encouraged farmers to make submissions to government and share ideas that could help with policy development and refashioning of the institutions.
National Agricultural Show Committee chairperson, Mr Thapelo Setlalekgosi said the quality of produce had improved over the years, second to South Africa.
He said in 2024 small stock producers had brought 460 animals last year and 1 000 this year while cattle breeders had 200 in 2024 and 305 in 2025.He said they were challenged by pricing because 10 years ago, a heifer cost P4 000 and the price remained the same to date while employee wages increased.
Mr Setlalekgosi called for structures of the National Agricultural Show grounds to be revamped noting.
Representing the show Gold Sponsor, Absa chief executive officer, Ms Keabetswe Pheko-Moshagane said the launch of the National Agricultural Policy marked a progressive step toward the establishment of modern, competitive and sustainable agricultural economy.
Ms Pheko-Moshagane said the policy aimed to drive an agricultural revolution through diversification, resilient and foster long-term ability by empowering communities and advancing national development.
She said it provided a roadmap for innovation, investment and inclusive role, ensuring that agriculture continued to play a role as a key driver of food security, employment and economic diversification.
As a partner in transforming agriculture as a driver of growth, Ms Pheko-Moshagane said they were committed to support the sector providing tailored financing, value chain support, risk management solutions as well as promoting financial literacy, digital inclusion and smart investment.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
