Smallholder farmers get boost towards commercialisation
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday November 11, 2026 06:00
Recently it was announced that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has extended a P413 million ($31.52 million) loan to support Botswana Livestock Commercialisation Project. The funds will go towards efforts to transform smallholder farming into commercially viable agricultural enterprises in the country. It is expected that the investment will benefit approximately 50,000 households across 20 districts, with a focus on improving livestock production, strengthening climate resilience and expanding market opportunities for farmers.
Ministry of Lands and Agriculture’s Director of Partnerships, Dr Christopher Nyanga, explained the initiative was critical to shifting smallstock and poultry production from subsistence farming towards a vibrant, market-oriented enterprise. “We acknowledge the expanded support for climate adaptation initiatives which has been increased to $25 million which go a long way in strengthening the climate resilience of our agricultural production systems against recurrent droughts and environmental pressures,” he said. Nyanga was speaking recently at an IFAD workshop on the implementation of the integrated crop-livestock programme. He noted that Botswana's agricultural sector continues to face significant challenges, including unpredictable rainfall, high temperatures and recurring droughts, which threaten production, food security and rural livelihoods.
Therefore, he said building resilience, strengthening farmers' adaptive capacity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices had become fundamental to the future of the country's agricultural sector. Nyanga further highlighted the importance of integrating crop and livestock production, noting that the two activities should be viewed as complementary enterprises rather than isolated farming operations. According to Nyanga, integrated farming systems can enable farmers to make better use of available resources, recycle nutrients, diversify income streams, manage production risks and improve the sustainability of their operations. “Such approaches are particularly important for Botswana, where climate variability places increasing pressure on land and water resources.
“Improved integration could also enhance soil health, increase livestock feed availability and create more reliable livelihood opportunities for farming households,” he added. Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, further welcomed targeted support for horticulture, particularly initiatives aimed at improving productivity, soil health and market access. While Botswana has made progress towards near-self-sufficiency in horticultural production, farmers continue to face challenges relating to market linkages and post-harvest losses.
The ministry said the intervention would help consolidate the gains made in the sector while addressing constraints that prevent producers from fully benefiting from increased production. It emphasised that the success of the programme would depend on effective collaboration amongst government, IFAD, development partners, the private sector and farming communities. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure the initiative delivers sustainable outcomes, adding that its success should ultimately be measured by improvements in farmers' livelihoods, agricultural productivity, food security and rural resilience.