COVID-19 pushes more Batswana towards informal sector
Friday, May 28, 2021
Throughout Gaborone, more street stalls, kitchen and food points are opening up. On social media, every other person is producing, trading and/or selling one commodity or another.
The economy appears to be slowly informalising, where people leave the formal sector for one reason or another and join informal trade. A year and a few months after first arriving in the country, COVID-19 has caused significant harm to individuals and communities both in economic and health terms. The pandemic-induced recession, which saw the economy shrink by 7.9 percent last year, has shaken the country’s foundations triggering the worst jobs crisis since the 2008-2009 economic meltdown.Statistics Botswana estimates that at least 67,000 people lost their jobs and businesses last year, a conservative figure given that the data agency’s researchers were unable to fully conduct their assessments due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...