On 18 March 2025, Lilian Costa, CEO of the Pandamatenga Commercial Farmers Association, delivered a powerful message at the President Business Forum hosted by Botswana Stock Exchange remarking on Botswana’s agriculture sector. The panel, focusing on Job Creation and Economic Diversification, included esteemed participants such as Wanatsha Moakufi from Debswana, Lily Rakorong representing HATAB, Carlos Daniel Bernitt Arroyo from ABInBev, and Prof. Otlogetswe Totolo, Vice Chancellor of BIUST. Lilian highlighted critical gaps in Botswana’s agricultural sector, particularly in Pandamatenga, and presented a compelling vision for self-sufficiency and economic growth through farming.
Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Botswana’s Agriculture
Lilian boldly stated that Botswana has the potential to produce 100% of its food. Despite challenges such as arid conditions and limited water resources, she argued that solutions already exist worldwide, and Botswana must proactively seek, adapt, and implement them.
“Our small and medium-scale farmers are struggling, not because they lack effort, but because they lack support, guidance, and efficient resource management,” she emphasized. Without proper coordination and strategic planning, farmers are forced to navigate an unsustainable agricultural system.
Addressing the Challenges of Farming in Botswana
One of the most pressing issues raised by Lilian is the lack of coordination in food production. She questioned whether decision-makers and industry players fully understand how much of each food product is imported versus locally produced.
“If we reverse-engineer our imports into land requirements, we can determine exactly how many hectares of maize, wheat, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes we need to achieve self-sufficiency. But instead of proper planning, we see policies such as border closures that put pressure on farmers to produce without the necessary tools and support.”
This lack of strategic direction not only affects food security but also leads to wasted resources, time, and effort.
Empowering Farmers: Opportunities for Farmers in Botswana
Lilian stressed the need for farmers to recognize themselves as business people. “Most farmers in Botswana do not know how to manage their cash flow. This is a major problem because if they do not understand financial management, they will continuously rely on government assistance.”
Training farmers in business skills, securing alternative financing for farmers in Botswana, and establishing partnerships with the private sector and international agricultural leaders can transform farming into a sustainable and profitable profession.
How to Improve Agriculture in Botswana: Job Creation and Food Security
Agriculture has the potential to significantly reduce unemployment in Botswana. Citing examples from Brazil, Lilian mentioned an 8,000-hectare irrigated farm in the desert that employs 8,000 people. “We need to ask ourselves: have we fully analyzed our own resources to determine how far we can push our agricultural sector?”
With strategic investment, agricultural expansion can create thousands of jobs, improve the quality of local diets, and open opportunities for exports. “We must not only produce for local consumption but also tap into international markets,” she noted.
Sustainable Agriculture in Botswana and Pandamatenga’s Role
ABInBev’s Commitment to Local Agriculture
During the same panel, Carlos Daniel Bernitt Arroyo of AbInBev Botswana (owners of Kgalagadi Breweries Limited, KBL) shared insights into their trial projects aimed at supporting agriculture. He emphasized their commitment to reducing imports by investing in the supply chain development of homegrown ingredients like sorghum. Currently, 78% of their brewing imports come from outside Botswana, but through strategic partnerships with local farmers, they aim to empower the agricultural sector and strengthen the national economy. Pandamatenga is a key area for this type of agricultural growth.
A Call for Immediate Action: Sustainable Farming in Botswana
Lilian called for urgent action beyond discussions. “We are making decisions too quickly, at a high level, without proper consultation. Meetings that last hours without actionable outcomes are overrated. We need to act now.”
She urged Botswana to embrace agricultural transformation through:
- Strategic planning based on accurate data
- Empowering farmers with training and financial management skills
- Encouraging investment from global agricultural leaders
- Developing policies that support local production while allowing access to global markets
The Future of Botswana’s Agriculture
Lilian ended on a personal note, expressing her deep connection to Botswana. “This is my home, the land where I had my son. I want to see our villages thrive, our people eating nutritious food, and our farmers succeeding.”
With the right strategies and a commitment to change, Botswana can unlock its untapped agricultural potential, create sustainable jobs, and ensure food security for future generations, especially in areas like Pandamatenga.
