The annual national demand for milk currently stands at 65 million litres.
In the 2023–2024 financial year, domestic milk production reached just 7.9 million litres, whilst imports amounted to 48.3 million litres, satisfying nearly 75% of annual demand.
Recent data from the third quarter of the 2024–2025 financial year paints a similar picture. Local production amounted to 2.2 million litres, whilst 38.9 million litres were imported, all of which originated from South Africa.
In response to BusinessWeek enquiries, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture said the continuing dependence on imported milk is largely due to several structural challenges facing the local dairy industry.
"Key amongst the challenges is the shortage of quality dairy breeding animals, which hinders the expansion of the national dairy herd,” a ministry official said. “This is compounded by high initial investment costs required to start dairy projects and a shortage of quality dairy feeds, especially during periods of drought. “The fluctuating climate has exacerbated feed shortages, further constraining local milk production.”
Further the ministry noted that disease outbreaks in exporting countries have made it difficult for Botswana to acquire quality dairy breeds. Additionally, feed availability and cost remain persistent issues, with recurrent droughts reducing fodder supply and driving up prices.
In response, the government has developed a comprehensive dairy strategy aimed at revitalising the sector. This strategy focuses on supporting the dairy sub-sector by ensuring the availability of quality dairy animals, including cattle and goats.
As part of this initiative, ministry officials said Botswana has imported 150 dairy goats from Australia to bolster the national breeding stock. These goats are being used in multiplication programmes and will eventually be made available to local farmers to enhance milk production.
To facilitate the participation of small-scale farmers in the dairy industry, the government has prioritised capacity building and improved access to breeding stock through multiplication farms and subsidised semen. The Thuo Letlotlo programme also provides tailored support packages for both micro- and small-scale farmers interested in venturing into dairy farming.
Recognising feed as a critical limiting factor, the government is encouraging farmers to produce their own fodder. A national fodder strategy is currently under development to support this initiative. Additionally, efforts are underway to establish a Botswana Dairy Advisory Body, which will focus on improving marketing and overall milk production systems.
The Ministry of Agriculture continues to implement the 2013 Dairy Strategy, which has already yielded notable successes, such as the importation and use of female sexed dairy semen, especially by one of the country's main dairy farms. The dairy strategy is now under review to ensure alignment with current industry challenges and opportunities, officials said.
