04 Nov 2025

A total of P20.9 billon is required for a comprehensive roadmap for agricultural transformation under National Development Plan 12.

This was said by the Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti in Parliament of Friday during the presentation of the ministry’s public investment programme during National Development Plan 12.

Dr Dikoloti indicated that the agricultural public investment programme details projects that were aimed at increasing contribution of agriculture to GDP to at least 6 per cent, reduce food import bill by 8 per cent and to increase the share of agricultural exports to total exports to 3.8 per cent. Such projects, he said were centered on promoting enterprise driven empowerment across the arable, livestock, and horticulture sub-sectors.

“This strategic shift is designed to move Botswana away from subsidy-based dependency toward a more sustainable and productive agricultural model to reinforce national food security and sovereignty.

“Over a five-year period, the total estimated cost of the programme is P3.704 billion,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti said the livestock production and processing programme was a key driver in transforming Botswana’s livestock sector by promoting productivity, value addition and market competitiveness.

He cited that key initiatives include the ‘A-di-tsale’ breeding programme, dairy development, beef and small-stock clusters, fodder production and upgrading of abattoirs and marketing facilities.

These interventions, he said would enhance animal health, genetics and processing standards to meet market demands, supporting the national goal of growing the herd to five million cattle and strengthening food security, diversification and exports. 

He said the livestock production programme was over the next five years estimated at P379.5 million. With regard to crop production and processing programme, the minister said an estimate of P1.118 billion was made toward mechanisation, irrigation, productivity and post-harvest infrastructure with flagship initiatives including the development of the cannabis industry and the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) which promotes production of potatoes. Additionally, he said interventions contributing to improved biosecurity, sustaining market access and protecting both animal and crop health were estimated to cost P334 million.

He said an estimated investment of P127.4 million on research and development programme aimed at strengthening innovation and commercialisation across the agricultural value chain was also ideal toward sustainable agricultural transformation. “These investments will promote technology-led transformation, reduce production risks, open export opportunities and build a resilient and competitive sector,” he said.

He stated that P4.278 billion was estimated for infrastructure development programme providing critical physical backbone for Botswana’s agricultural transformation. Such infrastructure developments, he said included construction of access routes, irrigation, cold chain and laboratories.

 He said these initiatives would collectively enhance an enabling environment for production and catalyse agro-industrial growth through improved infrastructure and an expanded institutional presence across regions.

Dr Dikoloti highlighted a total of P746.1 million was estimated toward technology and innovation programme seeking to accelerate Botswana’s transition towards smart, data-driven and digitally enabled agriculture.

“The interventions aim to foster innovation-driven agricultural growth and  ensure full digital integration of production systems,” he said.  To restore degraded rangelands and enhancement of ecosystem the ministry will invest P104 million in the Rangeland Management Programme.

He said P596.7 million was estimated for Land Management Programme while P9.520 billion was estimated for land facilitation.

Minister stated that the approval of the proposed NDP 12 costs estimation would enable the ministry to deliver measurable improvements in food production, employment creation and export competitiveness, while strengthening land governance, infrastructure and institutional capacity. ENDS