Horticulture far from filling national demand
Horticultural produce in Botswana only meets approximately 40% of the national demand, creating a 60% supply deficit as a result, BusinessWeek has established. The supply gap and sluggish growth of the sector is attributed to the shortness of the growing season and erratic weather conditions in Botswana, which have been aggravated by the rising climate change in the country and the region.
Speaking during the unveiling of a smart tomato farm called Tsoo 13 at Mookane, Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) CEO, Racious Moatshe said the organisation is pushing to unlock the full commercial potential of agriculture’s expansive value chains both upstream and downstream in order to position SMMEs to successfully venture into these areas. He said in the tomato production sector, market studies estimate the demand for tomatoes at 12,000 tonnes per month in Botswana.
“Local production ranges from 60 to 100 tons per hectare depending on the variety and related production conditions,” he said.
Moatshe further urged local producers to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he said promises a huge market access opportunity that cannot be overlooked.
TSOO 13 is a citizen-owned commercial smart tomato farm that leverages science-based innovation and technology to consistently produce A-grade tomato supply in the market throughout the year. Through the technical support offered by LEA, the farm was able to install soil-less farming and a hydroponics model that is uniquely suited to the Botswana environment.
For his part the Investment Trade and Industry assistant minister, Molebatsi Molebatsi said the project is a clear demonstration that Batswana have the potential to produce high-quality products and meet both local and export market requirements when properly guided and capacitated.
“I urge government institutions to continue business facilitation and capacity development of the SMMEs and collectively drive strategies and initiatives worthy of transforming the entrepreneurship and SMME sector to produce and feed the nation,” he said.