21 Apr 2026

At least 160 farmers were contracted under the pioneering organic turmeric export initiative for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. 

Responding to a parliamentary question on behalf of acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe, said the project was a partnership between a German company and a local agricultural firm. Mr Mathoothe said of the 160 contracted farmers, only 24 successfully planted turmeric this season and they had planted a total of 22.3 hectares across eight districts. He attributed the low participation rate to high start-up costs.

 He said establishing one hectare required approximately P61 000 for seeds alone, while total input costs per hectare per season, including certification, traceability standards and full production expenses, can reach up to P300 000. 

“Many aspiring farmers were unable to secure the necessary loans,” he said. He added that the turmeric was planted between September and November 2025 and was currently at the vegetative or early reproductive stage. 

He said harvesting was expected in May or June this year, followed by drying, with the first consignment scheduled to be exported to the German market in August or September. He further told Parliament that the 24 farmers were projected to produce 892 tonnes this season. 

At current market prices, he said the project was expected to generate approximately P152 million in revenue from the farmers while a single hectare was anticipated to yield between P4 million and P6 million in revenue from both rhizomes and leaves. 

The assistant minister reported strong momentum for the upcoming 2026/27 season, saying during the official turmeric programme launch held on March 28 this year at a model farm in Palapye, more than 100 participants attended and 70 farmers had already received training and were finalising contracts to plant in the next season, which is expected to begin in August.  

“A comprehensive training programme will run from March to July this, while farmer enrolment continues through media campaigns and newspaper advertisements. One large-scale farmer is preparing to plant up to 200 hectares, which is expected to create over 120 permanent and 180 temporary jobs,” he said. 

Mr Mathoothe also highlighted the environmental benefits of the organic production model, indicating that farmers were using organic manure, compost, green manures, crop residues and mulching.

 “These regenerative practices improve soil organic carbon, structure and microbial activity, while enhancing nutrient cycling, water retention and reducing erosion as well as gradually restoring degraded soils,” he said. He further said the project aligned with the new Agricultural Policy, which emphasised sustainable farming systems, climate-smart agriculture, diversification into high-value export crops and reduced reliance on chemical inputs.

 “In the coming season, most products will undergo local value addition before export to maximise revenue and job creation,” he said.

 Furthermore, he said the ministry was planning to expand organic methods to other high-value crops such as ginger, garlic, safflower and medicinal herbs and the 70 newly contracted farmers would also have access to additional crops, including safflower, moringa, birds-eye chilli and roselle, during the 2026/27 season.

 Mr Mathoothe emphasised that the initiative was being promoted as a countrywide programme aimed at attracting further investment, creating employment and positioning Botswana as a reliable supplier of organic produce on the international market. 

Member of Parliament for Shoshong, Mr Moneedi Bagaisamang, had sought details on the number of Batswana farmers contracted to grow organic turmeric for export to Germany in the 2025/26 season, the number who actually planted, reasons for non-planting, expected harvest and export timelines, as well as the projected tonnage and total revenue. ENDS