Inside the Lemang Dijo programme
Opelo Rakereng | Wednesday December 3, 2025 06:00
This innovative scheme, according to the government, is designed to address the shortcomings of previous subsidy programmes like the Arable Land Development Programme (ALDEP), Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD), and Temo Letlotlo. Whilst outlining the Lemang Dijo Programme, the government states the programme will be implemented through a segmented and tiered approach and that it will ensure assistance is specifically targeted at resource-poor beneficiaries, safeguarding the integrity and intent of the support offered.
'The Lemang Dijo will provide a 100% subsidy for tillage services and pesticides for up to one hectare, delivered via an e-voucher valued at P4,400, which also includes provisions for one beehive,' the government says in the programme guidelines. Moreover, the guidelines of the programme state that this one-hectare support model—rooted in technology, integrated crop-bee farming practices, and risk insurance—aligns seamlessly with Botswana’s fiscal realities whilst enhancing household food security. Furthermore, the government says the programme optimises accountability, bolsters the efficiency of extension services and champions environmental sustainability. The government argues that Lemang Dijo, by limiting the subsidised area to one hectare, the programme seeks to amplify productivity whilst facilitating manageable production levels.
'Coupled with targeted investments in extension services nationwide, this approach aims to empower farmers to achieve a minimum yield of one ton per hectare, allowing them to generate surplus for sale whilst simultaneously supporting their household consumption. This reform marks a significant data-driven shift towards enhancing value, mitigating fraud and fostering the sustainable growth of family farming in Botswana, advancing the nation's vision for a resilient and technologically enabled agricultural sector,' further indicates the guidelines of the programme.
The government also indicates that the Lemang Dijo Programme is aligned to the agricultural sector’s True North, which seeks to transform Botswana’s agriculture into a diversified, resilient, export-oriented sector that ensures food security, reduces imports and drives inclusive economic growth. 'The programme is going to contribute to increasing the contribution of agriculture to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to at least six percent, reducing the food import bill by eight percent and increasing the share of agricultural exports to total exports to 3.8 percent,' the government emphasised in the guidelines.
The application requirements, as per the programme guidelines, indicate that applications will be received seasonally from November 1 to January 31 to ensure that the farmer has planted before approval, as the support is a one-off package that will be issued during the ploughing season. The farmer must have ploughed and planted one hectare through Lemang Dijo and undergone a compulsory basic beekeeping course. The individual farmer shall be assisted with one beehive (Langstroth and nucleus colony). This, amongst other guidelines, is for a successful application for the Lemang Dijo programme.
The programme is said to be eligible to a Motswana who is tax-exempt, aged 18 years and above, registered to the Temo Crop Management System, and must be a field owner or under a lease agreement, or under a borrowing agreement. Moreover, married couples who are tax-exempt can apply as individuals. The government says the farmers shall keep a record of monthly production data such as the colony performance, honey harvested, colony loss and replacement and sales. Farmers are also said to be responsible for the inspection and maintenance of their colony, as well as for their monthly and fortnightly colony inspection during the flowering of crops.
To safeguard farmer investments, the government says it has secured insurance for the Lemang Dijo Facility through the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme, as this measure reduces production risk and promotes sustainable household-level food production. Lemang Dijo programme guidelines indicate that in the event of drought or natural disasters, the insurance mechanism will help cushion affected farmers and ensure continuity of programme benefits.