Book explores African agriculture
staff writer | Tuesday May 5, 2026 09:39
With warmth, honesty, and professional insight, the book, published by In-step Publications (Pty) Ltd, confronts the dominance of traditional farming systems, escalating food import bills, and the persistent reality of hunger across the continent. 'I thought of you, my beloved farmer was born out of lived experience and deep concern for the future of African agriculture. The continued reliance on traditional farming practices, growing dependence on food imports, and alarming levels of hunger demanded an honest conversation. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the vulnerability of food systems and the cost of low agricultural productivity,' alluded Kentse Oupa Batsima. Although agriculture is widely recognised as a priority sector and a major source of employment, many farmers remain trapped in unproductive systems that limit growth and profitability.
This book was written to challenge complacency, to question long standing assumptions, and to inspire a shift in mindset—one that views farming as a disciplined, data driven, and economically viable enterprise. 'This book is both a reflection and a call to action. It urges a shift towards efficiency, productivity, and value creation, while restoring dignity, purpose, and pride to the farming profession,' added Batsima in an interview with Showtime. At its core, the book speaks directly to the farmers acknowledging their sacrifices and reminding them that their work remains central to feeding nations and shaping futures. Modern agriculture is both a business and a science, requiring strategy, data, and informed decision making. Agriculture extends beyond primary production into secondary and tertiary sectors, which are essential for value addition and market access. Food production is not optional; it is fundamental to human survival, social stability, and national security. 'Nearly 10% of the global population experiences hunger, while Botswana’s hunger levels are estimated at approximately 24%, underscoring the urgency for change.
Farmers must move beyond passion for livestock or crops and focus on producing premium, consumer driven food products. Understanding value propositions, customer segmentation, and operating within a perfect market (price taker environment) is critical for sustainability and profitability,' said Batsima. Batsima is a beneficiary of the Youth Development Fund (YDF), he is actively involved in goat farming for chevon production. He began his farming journey in 2017 with a single goat purchased using his book allowance while still a student.
He continued farming part time throughout his studies, driven by a strong interest in addressing real world challenges faced by farmers. This passion led him to work closely with farmers as a consultant and veterinary sales professional. Kentse is a writer for Farmers Magazine Botswana and has authored over 200 articles across LinkedIn and agricultural publications. During the process of writing this book, he identified a significant gap in farm record keeping and subsequently developed a digital farm record keeping application to provide farmers with a portable, practical, and data driven solution. Copies of I thought of you, my beloved farmer are accessible for P200 by calling +267 76 654 199.