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.
