11 Feb 2026

A total of 6 965 farmers in the Kanye district have registered for assistance through the Lemang Dijo programme for the 2025/26 ploughing season, according to Kanye District Agronomist Ms Kealeboga Tonoko.

The Lemang Dijo initiative, a government-backed input subsidy programme aimed at boosting household food security and supporting micro-scale farmers, provides eligible participants with fully subsidised inputs such as tillage services (ploughing), seeds, and other essentials for up to one hectare of land.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA recently, Ms Tonoko said of the registered farmers, 3 632 were men and 3,333 were women, reflecting a near-balanced gender participation.

Ms Tonoko reported that the programme successfully supported 3 596 farmers with grants, benefiting 1 685 men and 1 911 women. These grants primarily covered ploughing services, seeds and fertilizer’ provisions.

While fertilisers were not distributed directly through the Crop Management System (CMS)- the digital platform used for programme registration and administration, she said the district requested 5 810 units but received only 3 707. All received fertilisers were fully allocated to farmers, reaching 925 beneficiaries: 429 men and 490 women.

The district’s cropping season faced significant weather challenges. Rains began in November 2025 but were unevenly distributed, with heavier precipitation on the eastern side in areas such as Lotlhakane, Molapowabojang, Moshana, Tswidi, and Diabo. The western side, including Segwagwa, Mogapinyana, Gasita, Lerolwane, and Masoke, regions that enjoyed bumper harvests in the previous season, experienced low to no significant rainfall initially, she added.

By December 2025, Ms Tonoko said rains improved and covered most settlements. However, she reiterated that January 2026 brought a complete dry spell. 

“Many farmers who ploughed in December saw their germinating crops suffer from high temperatures, resulting in scorching and reduced viability.”

Overall, ploughing activity in the Kanye district was notably lower than in previous seasons. Only 260 hectares were ploughed by 174 farmers; 81 men and 93 women, she said.

Ms Tonoko expressed optimism that February 2026 could bring more favourable rains, allowing farmers with means to expand their cultivated areas. 

In the meantime, agricultural extension officers have advised farmers to opt for quick-germinating crops such as beans to better cope with the unpredictable weather patterns. According to Ms Tonoko, the ploughing season for the Southern part ended on January 31.

The Lemang Dijo programme continues to play a vital role in supporting smallholder farmers across Botswana amid efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and food security. BOPA