Africa-Press – Botswana. Vice President Mr Ndaba Gaolatlhe has called on Batswana to start treating agriculture like the country’s next mineral as it is a powerful engine for wealth, exports and dignity.
Speaking at the official opening of the Kgatleng District Trade and Agricultural Show last week, he said the time had come to stop seeing agriculture as mere survival and start building industries around it. He told the audience that agriculture had taken centre stage in government’s economic strategy.
“It now plays a leading role in Botswana’s goals for food security, economic recovery and rural development,” he said.
He said the country must unlock the full value of its land, livestock and agricultural knowledge. He further said government was already acting as evidenced by a P230 million injection into the Botswana Meat Commission to fuel its recovery, with construction underway for a new meat value-addition plant and refurbishment of the Lobatse tannery. He said these developments were designed to restore trust in the meat industry, improve farmer earnings and boost exports.
In addition, he said beef exports were gaining ground, with markets already open in China, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Middle East, while efforts to regain access to the European Union were ongoing. Mr Gaolatlhe said these achievements depended on strong livestock traceability systems and meeting international health standards.
He praised the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) for diversifying into poultry vaccines, building Africa’s largest antigen bank and posting strong profits. The Institute, he said, was not just protecting animal health but defending the economy and the country’s reputation.
Even though, the Vice President acknowledged that the collapse of Botswana’s agricultural extension service weakened the link between government and farmers, he announced that government was restoring the system by putting trained agricultural advisors back in the fields to support productivity and knowledge sharing.
Drawing from recent visits to Norway and Switzerland, Mr Gaolatlhe said Botswana could learn from countries that turned small plots of land into thriving agricultural economies. He said value addition, innovation and farmer cooperatives were the foundation for turning agriculture into a force for export growth and rural jobs.
He pointed to opportunities already present in Kgatleng saying the district produced over 9 000 tonnes of horticultural goods and 300 000 litres of milk each year, much of which remained underused. He said with the right support, young farmers and women-led cooperatives could unlock this potential and lead Botswana into a new era of agricultural prosperity. Mr Gaolatlhe highlighted success stories such as Milk Valley Farm, which operated with 2 000 milking cows, and the historic Kgatleng Ranch, which was pioneering artificial insemination with up to 100 calves bred annually.
He urged Batswana to stop exporting raw products and instead invest in processing and branding. He said cows were not just for meat, but could also produce leather, bone meal, biogas and other by-products that supported a wide range of industries.
With the legalisation of hemp he said new industries in health, cosmetics and fibre were also emerging. He urged traditional leaders, private investors and young people to take part in building an agriculture-driven economy.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Development Bank (NDB), Mr Jerry Mwendapole said Botswana must boldly claim its share of Africa’s projected US$D1 trillion agribusiness market. He announced that NDB had launched a new strategic plan aimed at transforming the bank into Botswana’s leading green and agricultural finance institution.
He urged farmers to adopt smart, climate-resilient practices, form cooperatives and embrace innovation, adding that NDB was committed to supporting youth and women in building a modern and profitable agricultural sector.
Contributing to the discussion on technology in agriculture, Director of Business Development at Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), Mr Murphy Setshwane said digital connectivity remained a major challenge for rural-based farmers. He said BOCRA had introduced the Universal Access and Service Fund to help close this gap and improve network access in rural farming areas.
Kgatleng District Show Committee chairperson, Mr Patrick Mmono expressed concern over low participation by local farmers in the show. He urged them to take ownership of the platform and use it to elevate their work.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
