Water for agriculture strategy to strengthen livestock production
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday December 3, 2025 06:00
Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Edwin Dikoloti, told Parliament that this will include borehole drilling and acquisition, equipping and reticulation, desalination, and the rehabilitation of boreholes, wells, and dams across agricultural production areas. He disclosed that the programme has been budgeted for under the National Development Plan 12 (NDP12), to integrate water infrastructure and other input subsidy components to ensure sustainable farmer support.
Dikoloti was quick to emphasise that Botswana’s Water for Agriculture Strategy is a cornerstone of our national agricultural transformation agenda under NDP12.
“It focuses on efficient irrigation systems, sustainable water harvesting technologies, and precision agriculture to optimise resource use and maximise productivity.
“This commitment reflects our determination to secure food sovereignty, reduce reliance on imports, and build climate-resilient agricultural systems,” he said.
Furthermore, Dikoloti said his ministry has forged multi-year strategic partnerships with international development institutions, notably the Green Climate Fund, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to advance water development as well as the restoration and sustainable management of Botswana’s rangelands.
He pointed out that these collaborations constitute a vital component of the country’s broader water development agenda, aimed at strengthening food security and ensuring sustainable livestock production through building climate resilience.
“Furthermore, we are expanding land consolidation in agricultural areas to achieve economies of scale, enabling advanced irrigation systems and coordinated water management,” he said.
“We are also promoting subsidy strategies for smart technologies, such as sensors and real-time monitoring systems, to enhance precision irrigation, reduce water loss, and strengthen farm-level water management.”
Dikoloti said funding and implementation will be anchored on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, targeting high groundwater potential areas and consolidated land schemes.
He indicated that this approach ensures that investment is mobilised sustainably, infrastructure is modernised, and farmers are empowered to adopt innovative practices.
“Through these deliberate measures, Botswana’s Water for Agriculture Strategy will deliver a resilient, efficient, and inclusive agricultural sector that secures food security, drives productivity, and sustains national growth,” Dikoloti said.