One Million Tonnes Is Just the Beginning

Botswana’s new fodder strategy will not close the country’s feed deficit overnight, but it could mark the first serious step towards drought resilience, beef sector competitiveness and a stronger rural economy. Botswana has embarked on what could become one of the most important agricultural transformations of the next decade. A newly launched National Fodder Production Strategy aims to add one million tonnes of fodder annually by 2030, laying the foundation for a more resilient livestock industry and a stronger rural economy.

The target is ambitious, but perhaps more importantly, it is realistic. Botswana’s livestock sector contributes more than 80 percent of agricultural GDP, yet domestic feed production currently meets only 10 to 12 percent of national requirements. Annual demand for feed is estimated at nearly 6.9 million tonnes and is expected to rise sharply in coming years.

Against that backdrop, an additional one million tonnes represents a very good start. The significance of the strategy was underscored this week at the Global Private Sector Forum on Sustainable Rangelands and Livestock Systems held in Gaborone under the GEF-7 Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme. Welcoming delegates from SADC and beyond, Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Gorataone Dikoloti reaffirmed Botswana’s ambition to transform agriculture and increase its contribution to the economy from the current two percent to at least six percent.

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“We have set ourselves an ambitious target. We want agriculture to contribute at least six percent of GDP and we aspire to grow our national herd to five million cattle. Achieving that vision will require sustainable rangeland management, climate-resilient livestock systems and stronger partnerships with farmers, the private sector and the international community,” Dr Dikoloti said.

He described the recently launched National Fodder Production Strategy as a key pillar of that transformation. “The National Fodder Production Strategy will strengthen our resilience to drought and provide the reliable feed base required for sustainable livestock production and growth,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization, Subregional Coordinator Patrice Talla praised Botswana for hosting the landmark forum and called for greater regional collaboration, stronger knowledge sharing and increased private sector investment to restore dryland ecosystems and build resilient livestock systems across Southern Africa. Officially opening the forum, Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Boipuso Mmolotsi said Botswana’s rangelands, which cover approximately 57 percent of the country’s landmass, are fundamental to food security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and rural livelihoods.

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