04 May 2025

 Young farmers have been commended for their  dedication and contribution towards improving the agricultural sector. 

“I am deeply inspired by the determination of our young people who have chosen not to follow the conventional career path but embraced agriculture as a meaningful response to the President’s call. Their efforts signal a critical shift in mindset, recognising that agriculture, though often underdeveloped, has always been vital to our nation’s economy, particularly for rural economies,” said Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, during Letlhabile Southern Young Farmers Association Field Day in Kaduwe on Friday.

Minister Dr Edwin Dikoloti commended young farmers for defying challenges such as climate change, water shortage, limited access to land and finances, to make agriculture economically rewarding and fashionable as evidenced by their farm machinery. He said there was need to encourage more youth participation in agriculture with an aim to improve the sector’s contribution to economic growth.

“It is therefore imperative that we do more to encourage youth participation and events such as this one which target our future food producers. Currently, the agriculture sector contributes just two per cent to the GDP despite significant government investment and initiatives aimed at encouraging Batswana to enter the agriculture systems,” he noted.

While he underscored the need for research and development in agriculture, the acting minister also highlighted that government prioritised seed production and provision of water to production area in an endeavour to mitigate climate change effects in agriculture.

He noted that with the continuous increase of the youth population across the world, which came with limited employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, the government was committed to transforming the agricultural sector through optimal land use, enhanced labour productivity, food security and high value agriculture.

Consequently, Dr Dikoloti underscored the need for adopting innovative technology to drive the agricultural sector and enhance production. He noted that these would not only tap into the value chain opportunities but would also increase employment opportunities.

“We recognise the immense untapped potential for employment opportunities within the agricultural sector. The potential returns of investing in young people are boundless in terms of food security, poverty reduction, employment generation as well as peace and tranquillity of the nation,” he noted.

For his part, Mosisedi Farmers Association chairperson, Mr Gofaone Mapitse appreciated Letlhabile farmers for their perseverance despite the challenges. He urged farmers to tap into indigenous knowledge and adopt effective methods of farming geared towards mitigating emerging challenges in agriculture. He also said there was need for farming leases to be longer to enable farmers to effectively produce more food.

“Land tenure is a big challenge in agriculture, farmers should be given long-term leases to operate effectively,” he said.

A member of Letlhabile Southern Young Farmers Association, Ms Nametso Motlatshiping reiterated that shortage of land was a major problem that limited their efforts towards food security. Subsequently, she pleaded with the government to find them land where they could operate from one place.

She also implored other stakeholders to embrace the Adopt a Farmer initiative, aimed at providing support to farmers. The field day was held under the theme: Optimising Yield in Crop Production. ENDS