06 Oct 2026

President of Botswana Farmers Association (BofA) has warned prospective members that the association is for committed farmers, who are faring agriculture as a business.

Speaking during a farmers’ workshop in Bobonong recently, BofA president, Ms Diane Sibanda said members who sought to join the over 7 500 member association should be determined to add value to the association.

“We are not spoilt. We are not dinosaurs. We are committed. We add value and when you join we ask, what do you offer? If you have nothing to offer please, don’t bother joining us,” she said.

Ms Sibanda prided BofA as not just an association, but a business which will be opening a state of the art office at Finance Park, a statement move consistent with restoring farmers’ pride and respect.

BofA president said the association she led did not engage Ministry of Lands and Agriculture as beggars, but as partner. 

Praising the association as an autonomous body, BofA president detailed how some members suffered greatly at the formative stages of the association before it finally fledged through to the status of non-dependence.

“We’re smallholder farmers who have weaned themselves from government,” she said as she emphasised the association’s autonomy.

Ms Sibanda, who is also chairperson of Eastern and Southern African Farmers Forum since 2025, prided the association with a ‘very strong youth wing.’

She said they had 15 young farmers who have been adequately trained that the association would not hesitate to send to represent on international platforms.

However, Ms Sibanda called for more women participation observing that in other countries it was difficult to offer women leadership positions in farming.

Councillor for Dandane-Mabeleng ward, Mr Letsogile Koketso challenged farmers to produce enough to feed the nation. 

He argued that if people committed to farming they would not steal from others.

“You can also help uplift others,” he said, reminding farmers of adequate underground water in the region that could spur irrigation.

Mr Koketso also appealed to farmers to engage innovative ways to farming to improve the quality and quantity of their produce. ends