21 Nov 2025

The citrus fruit farm along Tobane road on the outskirts of Selebi Phikwe has brought over P200 million direct foreign investment, supported other industries involved in input supplies as well as other services and communities in Botshabelo.

The project has received a lot of attention because of its large scale production of citrus which has never been experienced locally, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima has said. 

He was answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, explaining that the project which commenced on December 2022 had made considerable progress, with 1,077 hectares developed out of the 1,822 available and 819,000 trees planted. 

The Minister said the total investment to date was P491 million with employment level of 405 employees and 734 during peak season.  He said the farm had 16 managerial positions which consisted of eight locals and eight South Africans. Minister Ntsima said the project had potential to create 1,500 jobs when in full production. 

The project has just completed its second harvest which has increased from 5,000 tonnes to 22,000 metric tonnes and has been able to export to international markets such as EU, Canada, Middle East and South Africa, said Mr Ntsima. 

Apart from imparting knowledge to locals, he said the company had partnered with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources under the graduate scheme and already, eight graduates were being mentored to become future managers. 

Selebi Phikwe East MP  Mr Kgoberego Nkawana had wanted to know if government was satisfied with the current performance of the farm and measures being taken to ensure its long-term sustainability and contribution to the local community. ENDS