Young farmers in Botswana, like vegetable grower Tumelo Mapila, are optimistic that the new government will prioritize agriculture and address long-standing challenges in the sector.
Mapila, who began farming three years ago on land outside the capital, Gaborone, is struggling to expand his market beyond the city. “One key thing for me as a farmer is having opportunities to grow the farm and access markets beyond Gaborone and even Botswana,” he said. Stable pricing and predictable demand, he added, are crucial for better planning.
For decades, agriculture has taken a back seat to Botswana’s diamond-dependent economy under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which ruled for 58 years. However, the global slump in diamond demand has hit the economy hard, prompting calls for diversification.
“We’ve seen other countries create wealth for their citizens through farming,” Mapila said. “With diamonds struggling, agriculture could be the next area of focus for many of us.”
Botswana, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s wealthiest nations per capita, has seen its economic growth forecast for 2024 slashed to just 1%. Economic issues dominated last month’s election, which saw the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition, led by Duma Boko, take power.
Analysts say the new administration must act swiftly to diversify the economy and incentivize banks to fund agriculture. “The agricultural sector is underfunded because banks often don’t view it as viable,” said political analyst Ramasia Kabo. “We need to rethink strategies to attract investment into agriculture.”
As Botswana’s diamond fortunes wane, attention is shifting to agriculture and other sectors as vital avenues for sustainable economic growth.
