A P1bn food security hole

Friday, May 15, 2026 | 160 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.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

food security

Indisposed Zakhem misses court in P272.3m case

Larona Makhaiza | 17 h ago

We're coming for ministers, PSs, union leaders—Ngakaagae warns

Spira Tlhankane | 2d ago

Ntsima issues challenge

staff writer | 21 h ago

Bard Santner secures a deposit-taking microfinance banking licence

staff writer | 21 h ago

Gov’t, Huawei call for PPPs in skills development

Larona Makhaiza | 22 h ago

Sport journalist embarks on BetExplosion's Live Your Joy journey

Staff Writer | 1d ago

Rabasimane accuses Ngakaagae of being 'two-faced'

Larona Makhaiza | 1d ago

Selefu

joey kambai | 1d ago

Commitment by DPP to fight corruption welcome

Whilst many citizens put trust in their leaders that they are tackling one of the worst curses that can befall a country, the public has lost trust after all the cases seemed not to go anywhere.As the saying goes, ‘corruption is a cancer that eats away at the fabric of society’; corruption affects effective governance.Corruption affects delivery of services to the public and also crumbles most systems meant to assist citizens who are very...

The Monitor Editor | 13 October 2026

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.