The agriculture sector has in the past shown immense potential as an engine of grown through its contribution to the economy. Some years back the sector contributed about 40% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but has since dropped the current under 10%.
With the economy struggling due the low sales of diamond the main revenue earner, President Duma Boko has urged the farming communities to proactively work towards transforming the sector, and place it among the major contributors to the country’s GDB.
Officiating at the Ghanzi Show over the weekend, Boko reflected on the country’s reliance on diamond over the decades and the failure to diversify having led the economy to precarious crossroads when diamond sales plummeted. The time to diversify is now, lest the economy collapses, Boko warned.
Citing the recent signing of the Kampala Declaration which calls for raising agriculture’s GDP contribution by at least 6% through partnerships and collaborations, Boko reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to improving the agricultural sector.
For this to be achieved, things have to change and be done differently – “As a country, we must transform radically, drastically and dramatically to achieve the targets we have set for ourselves to grow the sector.”
President Boko implored the farming community to do more to revitalise the agricultural sector, even when faced with challenges, among then climate change, emphasising the need to appreciate past methods, review and improve them to achieve real agricultural growth.
He also highlighted on government’s commitment to empower farmers with practical skills and knowledge that would see them upscaling their farming to position the sector as one of major contributors to the country’s GDP.
Boko has recently decried the declining cattle population, and has set a target of 5 million herd of cattle in 10 years.
Meanwhile Ghanzi Show 2025, the 51st episode was held on July 21 – 26 under the theme ‘‘Sowing seeds of innovation for agricultural transformation,’ and attracted some of the best cattle genetics the show is known for.
Ghanzi Show Trust Chairman Mpho Molomo highlighted that the theme could not have been more relevant, especially in era where innovative methods are key in enhancing production. Molomo said modernising technology in agriculture has become even more of a necessity. Innovative ideas among them the use of drone technology to monitor crops and livestock are some of the many that can be applied in agriculture, if the sector was result orientated.
He further emphasised that agriculture throws a lifeline to all, as it creates employment while feeding the nation, and an engine of growth for the economy.
One of the major highlights of the Show, was again the livestock auction, which has becoming popular and attracts farmers across the country and neighbouring countries. These are the farmers who seek to improve the genetics of their livestock.
