18 Nov 2025

The acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti has warned that Botswana’s farming sector contributes under two percent to GDP, leaving the nation bleeding cash on South African food imports. 

Speaking at the Adventist Laymen’s Services (ASI) farmers’ conference in Ntlhantlhe recently, Dr Dikoloti declared war on the status quo.  “

We are drafting a new agriculture policy to flip the script from food security to food sovereignty; sustainable, inclusive, and cut-throat competitive.” 

Nationwide consultations were already underway, tapping Batswana for battle-tested ideas to revive the sector, he said. 

Dr Dikoloti hailed ASI for roping in children. “Start them young, breed the next generation of farmers,” he added. 

He urged growers to diversify hard, ‘graft indigenous giants like moretologa and mothwane, spawn new industries, and cash in.’ 

Owing to climate and land woes, Dr Dikoloti reiterated that climate chaos remained with creeping non-agricultural land grabs, citing full government backing for the 2025/2026 planting season. 

He promised support to farmers with no delays and to plant on schedule. 

In her remarks, the president of Adventist Laymen’s Services Ms Mercia Nkosi stated that the Adventist Church aims to contribute to the reconstruction of a new Botswana by focusing specifically on farming, as they believe it aligns with biblical principles. 

She explained that their mission is to support the Adventist church’s global initiatives by empowering members to use their professions as a means to share their faith, guided by the motto: Sharing Christ in the Marketplace BOPA