The NAMPAAD Week is important as it is through the observance of such initiatives that farmers and Batswana in general are further informed on the various aspects of the agency and the importance of food production. Before the advent of the capitalist economy and mining in this country, Batswana depended on agriculture as a source of both subsistence and livelihood. Much of the food consumed in a household was produced and tended on the family farm. In most cases, people practised mixed agriculture, with farmsteads being the centre of both arable and pastoral farming. But the story is well documented that while our success in other spheres - such as mining - has been impressive, agriculture has been generally neglected to the point where its contribution to the GDP is now negligible. The reality, however, is that agriculture cannot be allowed to stagnate because people need to eat in order to perform other tasks. Besides, the country is currently spending far too much money on food imports.
We are aware that harsh weather conditions and unreliable rains could be factors that militate against agriculture in Botswana. While this may be true, it can no longer be hoisted as an excuse, considering that major technological strides - including in agriculture - were being made at the time that food production was declining dismally. The fact is that agriculture is not a choice, but has to be embraced as a way of life for any country that desires to reduce unemployment and poverty, as well as to diversify its economy. Put in simpler terms, food is a basic survival need. Government should therefore become more determined and robust in its drive to ensure that schemes like NAMPAAD succeed, for they hold great promise for the nation. Hence, we are happy that the past week has seen bold moves intended to take agricultural development to a higher level and bolster production, especially of food. The first major initiative was the launching of an olive tree project at the Botswana Defence Force's Glen Valley Production and Training Farm where about 2500 olive trees were planted. It is hoped that this project will become the precursor to the establishment of a commercial olive tree project on a massive scale in Botswana. As is well known, the olive tree is a source of good fruit, and can be used to extract cooking oil, among other things. In a similar development, some entrepreneurs have identified Botswana as a country that has a huge potential to produce sunflower.
