16 Sep 2026

Bush encroachment and declining rangeland conditions remain significant threats to livestock production and community livelihoods in the North West District.

The loss of productive grazing areas reduces the availability of quality forage and increases pressure on remaining grazing resources and If left unaddressed, this trend threatens to undermine the long-term viability of communal livestock production.

The North West District Council chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng, highlighted these challenges on September 14 during the opening of a full council meeting. 

He welcomed and endorsed the implementation of the Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana’s Communal Rangelands Project, which is facilitated by Conservation International.

The project operates in conjunction with the Herding for Health (H4H) model, providing a practical approach to improving rangeland management and livestock production.

Mr Kelebetseng noted that the model had the potential to rejuvenate rangeland conditions while strengthening livestock productivity and community livelihoods.

Currently, the programme is being implemented in Phuduhudu, where 242 cattle belonging to 30 voluntary farmers have been enrolled. 

Additionally, 10 Eco-Rangers have been hired to support the initiative, and community members have received training in animal husbandry.

“A significant step is now underway in Sehithwa, where community engagements are commencing to facilitate the rollout of the program. The emphasis will be on ensuring that communities are not merely beneficiaries of the program but are active participants in determining how their communal grazing lands are managed,” he added.

Following the work in Sehithwa, Mr Kelebetseng stated that Shorobe would be the next target area for community engagement and the subsequent rollout of the H4H approach. 

This phased strategy will allow lessons learned from initial implementation zones to inform future interventions, thereby strengthening the overall program.

He implored fellow councillors, traditional leaders, farmers, and communities at large to actively support and participate in the H4H process. 

He emphasised that the success of the programme depended on community ownership, practical implementation, and a collective commitment to managing rangelands as a shared, valuable resource for present and future generations.

On others, Kelebetseng highlighted that the livestock sector continued to demonstrate significant economic potential, noting that between April and July 2026, a total of 10 260 cattle were slaughtered at the Maun export abattoir.

During the same period, 184,207.80 kilogrammes of beef were exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo, while 252,802.10 kilogrammes were supplied to green zones, including Gaborone, Francistown, and other areas. 

The remaining beef was consumed within the local markets of Maun and Kasane.

Furthermore, Mr Kelebetseng praised the ongoing training of farmers in seed production and the promotion of drought-tolerant, open-pollinated crop varieties.

During the period under review, a total of 107 farmers were trained in seed production, with 69 trained in Sehithwa and 38 in Maun. The training was undertaken in collaboration with the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB), Cross Corn, and AF-AFRI.

He also commended the capacitation of 191 farmers on Integrated Pest Management through farmers’ meetings, training sessions, and practical demonstrations in areas such as Legothwana, Tsanakona, Chanoga, Gogomoga, Kareng, Sehithwa, and Tsau. Mr Kelebetseng noted that such interventions are vital because farmers need practical knowledge to manage pests and diseases effectively to protect their crops and livelihoods.

He further stressed the critical need for a reliable road network, noting that robust infrastructure was essential to support agriculture, tourism, trade, education, health services, emergency response, and access to key markets. ENDS