Report Coverage
The report on the Agri-Business sector in Botswana discusses horticulture and the growing of crops, government support for the sector, and other factors that influence current and future production. Profiles for five role players are provided including Langdon Organic Farms (Pty) Ltd which trades as Go Fresh! In its greenhouse operations in Gabarone and Maun, 100 tons of fresh produce is cultivated every year. Also profiled is Noka Farm (Pty) Ltd which cultivates only 60 hectares of its total farming area of 157.22 hectares.
Introduction
Although the agricultural sector contributed only 2.1% to Botswana’s GDP in 2017 according to figures published by the country’s central bank, the sector is the mainstay of the rural economy. World Bank data shows that 42% of Botswana’s population live in rural areas, while, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), around 70% of rural households depend on subsistence farming for their livelihood. The agricultural sector provided employment to 25.7% of the labour force in 2017, which equates to about 290,400 people. However, Botswana’s crop production potential is very low as a result of its semi-arid climate, low soil fertility in most areas, and low and erratic rainfall.
Strengths
• Botswana spends a relatively high share of its agricultural GDP on agricultural research.
• High levels of government support.
Weaknesses
• 46% of agricultural land is underutilised or not utilised at all.
• A lack of roads connecting farms to markets leads to increased transport costs.
• Botswana’s crop production is dominated by rain-fed subsistence farming carried out by farmers using the traditional system, which increases vulnerability to adverse weather conditions.
• Lack of marketing facilities.
• Loss of crops due to wildlife in certain areas.
• Low levels of farming skills and low productivity levels among most smallholder farmers.
• Most horticultural farmers cannot afford to invest in modern farming technology and there is a lack of cooperation between them.
• Most of Botswana’s demand for agricultural produce is met through imports, mainly from South Africa.
• Post-harvest handling facilities are inadequate, while there is a lack of facilities to process fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Production costs are high, mainly because most production inputs are imported.
• The absence of quality grading and sorting leads to lower prices for fresh fruit and vegetables.
• The lack of a policy in the horticultural sub-sector constrains growth.
• The pace of commercialisation is slow.
Opportunities
• Assistance provided through foreign aid.
• Milled grain must contain a minimum proportion of locally-grown grain.
• Occasional restrictions on the importation of certain horticultural crops.
• Provision of inputs by the government.
• The use of treated wastewater for irrigation should increase the area of land used for growing crops.
• The Zambezi Integrated Agro-Commercial Development Project ZIACDP at Pandamatenga should increase the area under commercial farming by 45,000ha.
Threats
• Drought, because crops are mainly rain-fed.
• Worsening climatic conditions, reduced soil fertility and increased desertification.
Outlook
According to the Macro Poverty Outlook report, Botswana’s agricultural sector is expected to grow by 1.8% in 2018 and by 2.0% in 2019 as a result of higher production due to improved weather conditions. The Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Kgotla Autlwetse, said in October 2017 that Botswana aims to have a commercially successful agricultural sector by 2025. This will be achieved by creating a modern and productive sector through the use of science, technology, innovation and indigenous knowledge. However, as discussed under Environmental Concerns, climate change could pose a threat to the development and future success of the country’s agricultural sector.
The Agri-Business Sector in Botswana
2018
Full Report
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $106.42 (USD)*
Industry Landscape
R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 74.49 (USD)*
Historical Reports
The Agri-Business Sector in Botswana 2015-04-28
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $106.42 (USD)*
View Report Add to CartTable of Contents
[ Close ]| PAGE | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | INTRODUCTION | 1 |
| 2. | COUNTRY INFORMATION | 1 |
| 2.1. | Geographic Position | 2 |
| 3. | DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY | 3 |
| 3.1. | Industry Value Chain | 4 |
| 4. | SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY | 7 |
| 5. | STATE OF THE INDUSTRY | 9 |
| 5.1. | Local | 9 |
| 5.1.1. | Corporate Actions | 13 |
| 5.1.2. | Regulations | 13 |
| 5.2. | Continental | 14 |
| 5.3. | International | 15 |
| 6. | INFLUENCING FACTORS | 15 |
| 6.1. | Government Support | 15 |
| 6.2. | Environmental Concerns | 19 |
| 6.3. | Economic Environment | 20 |
| 6.4. | Foreign Aid | 20 |
| 6.5. | Labour | 21 |
| 6.6. | Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation | 21 |
| 7. | COMPETITION | 22 |
| 7.1. | Barriers to Entry | 22 |
| 8. | SWOT ANALYSIS | 23 |
| 9. | OUTLOOK | 24 |
| 10. | INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS | 24 |
| 11. | REFERENCES | 25 |
| 11.1. | Publications | 25 |
| 11.2. | Websites | 25 |
| COMPANY PROFILES | 27 | |
| ADAM\'S APPLE (PTY) LTD | 27 | |
| BOTSWANA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LTD | 28 | |
| LANGDON ORGANIC FARMS (PTY) LTD | 33 | |
| NOKA FARM (PTY) LTD | 36 | |
| SEED CO INTERNATIONAL LTD | 38 |
