A P1bn food security hole

Friday, May 15, 2026 | 150 Views |

Golden fields: The country has pursued food self-sufficiency as a long-running priority

Despite private and government support over the decades as well as a standing commitment by maize and wheat millers to buy every single grain produced, output from local farmers remains low. MBONGENI MGUNI looks at the “whys” behind the P1 billion per annum opportunity

Local millers estimate that the country is giving away at least one billion Pula to South Africa annually in terms of importing maize and wheat that could be produced in the country.

Statistics Botswana figures are even more sombre. Imports of cereals, a term referring to raw maize, wheat, sorghum and rice, reached P2.4 billion last year, with nearly all of these grains originating from South Africa, the regional breadbasket.

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A P1bn food security hole

Despite private and government support over the decades as well as a standing commitment by maize and wheat millers to buy every single grain produced, output from local farmers remains low. MBONGENI MGUNI looks at the “whys” behind the P1 billion per annum opportunity

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