Gov’t shifts from subsidies to commercial farming
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday July 27, 2026 06:00
The shift is also aimed at boosting technology adoption and increasing agriculture's contribution to the economy.
The move comes after government acknowledged that its long-standing public sector-dominated agricultural extension system, built around heavily subsidised programmes such as SLOCA, LIMID, LIMID II, ISPAAD, Special ISPAAD, Temo Letlotlo, and Thuo Letlotlo, has failed to deliver the desired outcomes.
Responding to a question in Parliament, Dikoloti said the existing extension system has been characterised by state-directed, top-down approaches that have done little to encourage farmers to embrace modern technologies or transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
'As a result, the majority of farmers continue to rely on traditional farming methods, agricultural productivity has stagnated, and the sector remains poorly commercialised,' the minister said.
The minister revealed that the ministry operates across 25 districts, with 576 extension areas. Of the 576 areas, 310 are under the Department of Veterinary Services, whilst 266 are under the Department of Crop Production. Four hundred extension areas are staffed by either permanent officers or by temporary extension officers, whilst 176 extension areas under Veterinary Services remain unstaffed (unmanned).
The minister said the shortage of extension personnel has weakened service delivery, contributing to slow technology uptake, declining crop yields, poor market participation, increased vulnerability to climate change, soil degradation and agriculture's low contribution to the economy, which currently accounts for less than two percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
To reverse the trend, government is restructuring the ministry by creating a fully-fledged Department of Extension to coordinate extension services nationwide and a Department of Partnerships to strengthen collaboration with the private sector, research institutions and non-governmental organisations.
The reforms are aligned with the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP) and National Development Plan 12, which seek to position agriculture as a key driver of economic diversification and sustainable growth.
Central to the new strategy is the adoption of a pluralistic extension model developed in partnership with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN).
The approach expands extension service delivery beyond government by incorporating private sector players and development partners. The A-Di-Tsale programme, launched in September 2025, is cited as a practical example of the new direction.
Government is also shifting its attention from increasing production alone to developing complete agricultural value chains. Programmes including the Botswana Livestock Commercialisation Programme (BOLCOP), the BADEA-supported beef value chain study, the Agriculture Financing Strategy and the Fodder Production Strategy are intended to improve productivity, reduce investment risks and create commercially viable farming enterprises.
Technology will underpin the transformation agenda. The ministry plans to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agriculture through partnerships with Smarts Bots, the Green Climate Fund, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The A-Di-Tsale programme will also utilise Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) to improve livestock genetics and increase cattle productivity.
To improve access to extension services, government will integrate its Ministry Call Centre with frontline extension operations. Farmers will be able to access free technical advice from full-time extension officers, with more complex cases escalated to specialists, ensuring quicker and more efficient support.