Costly turmeric farming limits participation
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday April 22, 2026 06:00
Last week, the Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Baratiwa Mathoothe responding on behalf of Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, told Members of Parliament that turmeric farming is costly, which has limited participation. “A hectare of turmeric seeds costs about P64,000, with total input costs reaching approximately P300,000 per season,” he said in response to a question from Shoshong MP, Moneedi Bagaisamang. “This includes certification and traceability requirements, as well as production costs from planting, weeding, harvesting and processing for the German export market.” Bagaisamang had asked the Minister of Lands and Agriculture to apprise Parliament on Batswana contracted farmers who grow Organic Turmeric during the 2025-26 season for German Market Export and state the following In response, Mathoothe explained that the Ministry has facilitated the participation of 160 farmers in turmeric production targeting the German export market, through a partnership with a company from that European country. He added that access to finance was another major obstacle, saying, “The main challenge behind the low number of participating farmers is the high start-up capital required, as some were unable to secure loans.” To date, a total of 160 farmers have been contracted by private companies to plant turmeric for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons.
Of these, only 24 farmers have successfully planted for the German export market. For the first group of contracted farmers in the 2025-2026 season, the minister noted the planting took place between September and November. Mathoothe revealed that crops are currently at different stages of growth, with some at the vegetative stage and others at an early reproductive stage. “In Botswana, turmeric is expected to take six to nine months to reach maturity. Harvesting is therefore anticipated around May to June, followed by a drying process before export to Germany around August to September 2026,” Mathoothe said. The Minister further indicated that 24 farmers are participating across the country in the 2025-2026 season.
These include 12 in Kweneng, two in Kgatleng, four in Central District, two in Boteti, and one each in Chobe, Ngamiland, South East and Goodhope. The Turmeric Programme was launched at one of the contracted model farms on March 28, 2026 with farmers receiving training and are in the process of signing contracts for the 2026-2027 season, which begins in August 2026. Meanwhile, some farmers from the 2025-2026 cohort are already preparing land for the next planting cycle.
The training programme is scheduled to run from March to July 2026 to ensure readiness for the upcoming season. Mathoothe said farmer enrolment is being promoted through media platforms and local newspapers, encouraging expressions of interest that lead to formal contracting.
“Notably, one large-scale farmer is preparing to plant up to 200 hectares of turmeric, which is expected to employ over 120 permanent workers and 180 temporary workers,” he said. “This scale of production is expected to broaden participation, generate significant revenue, and create more jobs for Batswana.” He added that the initiative is designed to be nationwide, with efforts to attract additional investors to collaborate with local farmers and strengthen the sector’s growth trajectory.
The Minister also noted plans to expand organic cultivation methods to other crops such as ginger, garlic, safflower and medicinal herbs to maximise revenue and employment opportunities. “For the 70 contracted farmers already trained this year, the export programme has been expanded to include additional crops such as safflower, moringa, bird’s eye chilli and roselle for the 2026-2027 season,” he said.