Mmegi

NDB ‘green funds’ 54 smallholder farmers

Funding green growth: Madisa
Funding green growth: Madisa

The National Development Bank (NDB) has provided funding to 54 smallholder farming businesses through the 'Green Energy Transition for Sustainable Agriculture' project since October 2022, officials revealed this week.

The initiative is supported by an €850,000 grant from the German government, channelled through the GIZ/International Climate Initiative (IKI) Small Grants programme.

The funding has enabled smallholder farmers to adopt solar-powered solutions, replacing traditional diesel-powered pumps with efficient drip irrigation systems. These improvements have significantly reduced environmental impact cutting carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 770 tonnes annually and saving around 835 litres of diesel per hectare across a 25-hectare farming area.

Editor's Comment
Two-tier education system demands action

Whilst we join Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) and other stakeholders in commending the rise in top grades, a testament to the unwavering effort of many teachers and pupils, this progress is fundamentally shadowed by a failing that shames our society. The stark, persistent urban-rural divide is not just a statistic, but an active betrayal of thousands of young Batswana.The figures are a damning indictment. When pass rates in...

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