ADDITIONAL DROUGHT AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY RELIEF MEASURES FOR 2022/23 SEASON

1. Members of the public are reminded of His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana’s declaration of 2022/2023 as a severe arable agricultural drought year that was announced in July 2023.

2. Subsequently, a rapid assessment was undertaken in November 2023 to determine and verify the level of household food insecurity and vulnerability following the April/ May 2023 assessment that had been the basis of the declaration of the drought year.

3. The first half of the ploughing season (October to December, 2023) has been characterized by normal to below normal rainfall particularly over the north and western parts of the country and this pattern is most likely to continue until the end of the rainy season. Temperatures over the whole country are forecast to be above normal. As a result of the late rainfall onsets, most farmers have not started the ploughing and planting activities. Rural households are, therefore, at risk of being food insecure.

4. Water levels in major rivers are currently at their lowest levels and continue to decrease at both Mohembo and Chobe River. The Boro and Thamalakane rivers are also drying up. Therefore, a hydrological drought is anticipated.

5. Furthermore, the grazing situation has deteriorated drastically since the April/ May 2023 assessment and veldt fires experienced this year have exacerbated the problem. The prevailing El Nino is anticipated to affect livestock, thus making it necessary for farmers to continue supplementing as well as consider selling ready-for market livestock.

6. In addition, the wildlife condition is currently recorded to be fair and this has led to movement of wild animals in search of palatable vegetation. Natural water bodies are currently dry thus the need to mitigate the situation, through constructing boreholes, so as to prevent increased encroachment of wildlife into human settlements in search of water.

7. In view of the prevailing conditions revealed by the November 2023 assessment of the status of drought in the country, the following additional drought and household food security relief measures, action and assistance for the 2022/23 season, will be implemented for six months effective 1st January 2024, save for the livestock subsidies, which will effect from the 1st February until 30th June 2024.

a. Ministry of Agriculture

To extend the provision of 30% Livestock (beef cattle, small stock,) Feed Subsidy for roughage, mineral supplements and botulism vaccine from 1st February up to 30th June 2024, and volumes to be capped per beneficiary to promote equitable distribution.

i. To extend provision of 30% subsidy for non-traditional commodities (dairy, piggery, aquaculture, apiculture and poultry) for smallholder farmers, from 1st February up to 30th June 2024, and volumes to be capped per beneficiary to promote equitable distribution.

ii. To extend provision of 50% subsidy for acaricides and antibiotics for control and treatment of animals with amblyomma (bont tick) and dermatophylosis (Senkoba) in Okavango and North West Districts from 1st February up to 30th June 2024. The acaricides and antibiotics will be tied to the available stock per farmer.

iii. To make provision of additional livestock Feeds (roughage, mineral and vitamins supplements and botulism) for the 30% Livestock (beef cattle, small stock) and non- traditional commodities subsidies from 1st February up to 30th June 2024, and volumes to be capped per beneficiary to promote equitable distribution.

b. Ministry of Environment and Tourism

To construct boreholes to mitigate movement of wildlife into human settlements in strategic locations at Ngwasha Area (4), Chobe area (2) and Makgadikgadi Nxai National Park (2).

c. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development

To increase Ipelegeng quota by additional 10 000 slots for a period of six months (January to June 2024) according to the village population in order to reduce the waiting period for rotating employees as well as reduce the numbers of registered beneficiaries in the waiting list.

Thank you. _____________________ Gabatlotlane Mogapi (Ms) Permanent Secretary