FCC horticulture market dream finally takes shape
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday September 16, 2026 06:00
The Francistown City Council (FCC) has confirmed that the old horticultural market facility located near Fire Services is currently undergoing refurbishment, following funding from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).
The facility, which had remained largely unused for decades, is expected to become a central trading hub where horticulture farmers can aggregate, store, and sell their produce in bulk.
FCC Mayor, Gaone Majere, said the project was the realisation of a long-standing council vision that had been delayed by a lack of funding.
“For years we had a vision, but we did not have the funds to implement it,” Majere told The Monitor.
“Finally, courtesy of CEDA, our vision will soon be realised. The old horticultural market facility next to the Fire Services will soon be the city's marketplace.”
He added that the contractor was already on site carrying out refurbishment works, with the project being funded under CEDA's Letsema Horticulture Market Initiative.
According to Majere, the FCC has also been laying the groundwork to ensure that the facility becomes a viable and sustainable marketplace once completed.
He said on August 6 and 7 the city council held stakeholder engagements that brought together farmers, retailers, agribusinesses, and government departments to discuss how the market should operate.
“I am excited to reveal that the project will be formally handed over by CEDA at the end of September, under their Letsema Horticulture Market Initiative,” he added.
Majere said once operational, the market would bring Francistown's horticulture producers under one roof, allowing them to store and sell their produce in bulk to small vegetable vendors and other buyers.
“This is more than a facility. It is a step towards positioning Francistown as the gateway and hub of the North, with local farmers meaningfully connected to formal markets.
“CEDA will also pave the open space near that facility, install shades and water, and construct toilets to create a dedicated trading area for informal sector operators and vegetable vendors currently selling their produce in the city centre,” he explained.
FCC accepted the initiative and looked forward to seeing the facility transformed into a vibrant trading hub that would benefit farmers, businesses and the city's economy.
Residents of the country second city welcomed the development following the announcement.
Commenting on Majere’s Facebook, they said the establishment of a dedicated horticulture market could significantly change the face of Francistown by bringing informal traders and vendors into an organised trading environment.
A number of them revealed to have seen similar market arrangements in other countries and believed the initiative could help create a cleaner and more organised city.
However, another resident urged the mayor and FCC to address access to the facility before the market becomes operational.
“It is a great idea, but now look at how you can have an access road that is away from the traffic. Trucks carrying perishable vegetables must not be caught in traffic before reaching this wonderful place, so that the quality of the produce does not deteriorate. Access is what kills most good projects,” he said.
Another resident challenged farmers in and around Francistown to embrace collective action if the market is to achieve its intended purpose.
He encouraged farmers to form associations, clusters, and cooperatives, arguing that such structures would enable them to supply the market consistently and negotiate better with buyers.
He said the success of the market could have a ripple effect across the city's economy by strengthening farmers, creating opportunities for informal traders, and improving the availability of locally produced fresh vegetables.
The resident said farmers should, therefore, view the facility not merely as a physical marketplace, but as an opportunity to build a stronger and more organised horticulture value chain in the North.