28 Aug 2026

Armed with high-yielding boreholes and prime transport links, Leshibitse is emerging as a focal point of Botswana’s economic diversification push as plans take shape to convert the village into a major horticultural and processing hub. 

 The village is set to transform into a vibrant agricultural oasis through the widespread adoption of horticultural production.

Recently, a team of experts from the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Lands and Agriculture and Kgatleng District authorities gathered at the Leshibitse kgotla to pitch ideas on developing the area. 

That followed a motion adopted by Parliament, tabled by MP for Kgatleng West, Dr Unity Dow, which requested that Leshibitse be declared a horticultural economic zone due to its natural water potential and unique production environment. 

According to experts, the area possessed a distinct water table capable of sustaining year-round farming activities.

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Gideon Mmolawa, explained that officials were engaging district leadership to draft a comprehensive implementation concept.

“We are here to solicit ideas on how we can package the concept that can turn this area into a beehive of agriculture industrialisation activities,” Mr Mmolawa said.

He noted that the proposed Leshibitse Horticultural Hub aligned with broader government efforts to utilise abundant underground water to commercialise agriculture.

Highlighting the project’s scope, entrepreneurial development director in the trade and entrepreneurship ministry, Mr Ngendi Moloyi, described the initiative as a strategic development project aimed at contributing to food security, employment creation and economic diversification.

He shared that significant groundwork had already been undertaken to move the project from concept to implementation, adding that a multi-ministerial and departmental technical working committee was established in July to spearhead planning and ensure thorough technical assessments and informed decision-making throughout the project cycle.

Residents of Leshibitse welcomed the development as a positive step toward growth. 

However, they urged government to involve local residents throughout the planning process and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, such as aligning agricultural land zoning with the initiative, that could slow down progress.Dr Dow reiterated that Leshibitse was a shining example of the country’s broader push away from diamond reliance, which had previously slowed the pace of agricultural development.

She added that agriculture remained a mainstay of the economy and emphasised that Leshibitse must be fully supported to realise the ambitious vision. 

Meanwhile, she noted that beyond its natural water resources, the village was strategically situated along the main A1 corridor and adjacent to the railway line, thus made crop transportation straightforward.

If given the opportunity, Dr Dow said, Leshibitse was also well-positioned to become an agricultural powerhouse, noting that local boreholes currently yielded between 21 and 50 cubic metres of water, which was sufficient for supplementary irrigation during dry spells. ENDS