DEBSWANA INVESTS P5 MILLION IN FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMMES

Debswana is funding several food security projects around its host communities as part of the company’s numerous efforts to advance its building forever sustainable goals, Botswana’s Vision 2036 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal no. two ( 2), which aims to end hunger, achieve food

security and promote sustainable agriculture by the year 2030.

At the Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines ( OLDM), Debswana has partnered with Serowe Administrative Authority and Malatswae Development Trust to implement the Malatswae food security project which is expected to develop economic opportunities at Malatswae village and create employment for community members. Debswana has committed a total of P 1.4 million towards the project that will benefit around 1 512 community members. The funding will assist in the development of an integrated ranch which will host a variety of agricultural activities such as crop production and animal production. In addition, the 3600- hectare farm will also be used for educational purposes where students and community members will have an opportunity to learn about agriculture and natural herbal plants that are part of the medicinal plantation project.

In another food security project, Debswana has contributed a total of P 1.5 million for Metsiaela, Makolwane and Setoto where the funds will be channeled towards the development of agricultural projects which will be used to produce food for the community and create employment for community members. Around 500 households with a total population of 3 000 community members are expected to benefit from these projects.

The Xhumo horticultural farm is another food security project that Debswana has funded at P 1 million to create sustainable employment opportunities at Xhumo village and promote agricultural value chain development. The community of Xhumo is in the process of developing a business plan and there has been procurement of supplies such as fencing material; and, water surveying and soil tests have been conducted. The 91.4 hectare farm will be fenced with game proof electrical fence.

In Khwee, Debswana has contributed P650 000 towards the development of a 3000- hectare community ranch. The project is intended to develop livelihoods for community of Khwee. Debswana’s contribution will go towards the development of a business plan, stocking of the ranch and procurement of livestock drugs.

Debswana is implementing these food security projects in partnership with Serowe Administrative Authority, Boteti Sub Council and communities in those villages. Serowe Administrative Authority and Boteti Sub Council are co- implementing partners, they have contributed fencing and development of the ranches, infrastructure development such power connection at Xhumo farm, grading and development of roads and provide technical support in implementation of all of these food security projects.

According to Head of Corporate Affairs at Debswana, Rachel Mothibatsela, “investing in food security projects will promote self- sufficiency for the communities especially at a period where the marginalized are worst hit by the economic impacts of COVID- 19. We care deeply about our communities and we believe that we have the responsibility to help diversify the economies of our communities to ensure that they can sustain long after we have recovered our last diamond. Debswana will look into engaging agri- business experts to work with the communities to ensure that these projects are income- generating and sustainable.”

Other food security projects which are still at formative stages are the bees and honey production project around Jwaneng Mine and the Zibanani vegetable garden in Mopipi.