The contribution of the agriculture sector to the national economy in general is reported to have dropped from 40% to 1.7% while the total population of cattle in Botswana which was estimated to be standing at 3 million is projected to have also decreased to 1.7 million.
The decrease in the contribution of the agriculture sector to the national economy and decrease in cattle population is reported to be mainly caused by climate change, which has led to high temperatures, floods and prolonged draught.
This was revealed by President Duma Boko during the national launch of the Botswana CI-GCF Ecosytem -Based Adaptation and Mitigation project in Tsabong this week which is aimed at enhancing Botswana’s communal rangelands.
The project is implemented in the Ngamiland, Bobirwa and Kgalagadi landscapes covering 104 villages seeks to increase the adaptive capacity of the communities to respond to the negative impacts of climate change in the communal lands. This is by using the collective planning through the Herding for Health Model of communal range lands management.
The project is expected to benefit 50 villages from Ngamiland district, 36 villages from Kgalagadi and 16 villages from Bobirwa.
It is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at USD 36.8 million and co-financed by the Government of Botswana at USD 54 million and Conservation International at USD 6.8 million giving a total of USD 97.6 million. The project is led by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, with Conservation International Botswana office as the executing entity.
During the national launch, Boko highlighted the importance of learning and understanding ways of managing communal rangelands by farmers so that they can be able to mitigate factors such as climate, overstocking, and increasing bush encroachment.
Boko noted that farmers are highly reliant on agriculture as such the challenges facing the sector pose a threat to their livelihoods. He indicated that some effects of climate change currently experienced in Botswana include high temperatures, lower rainfalls, floods and prolonged draught. Boko said that some these factors often lead to increased risk of livestock disease and land degradation which disrupts grazing practices.
Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Edwin Dikoloti stressed that there is an urgent need for agriculture to evolve in line with global environmental shifts. This he said is for the sector to adapt to the realities of climate change if it is to make a meaningful contribution to the national economy. Dikoloti added that to effectively tackle climate change, there is a need for all hands-on deck, sharing knowledge, experiences, and innovations to confront its complex challenges.
“The Green Energy Transition for Sustainable Agriculture Project has not only enhanced agricultural productivity; it has also made tangible contributions towards achieving Botswana’s broader development aspirations and climate resilience goals,” he said.
He stated that through the integration of renewable energy technologies and climate-smart farming practices, 54 smallholder farmers have been empowered with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to adapt to, and mitigate against, the growing impacts of climate change.
“As we celebrate the success of this project, we must also confront the urgent realities facing our agricultural sector. Climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is a lived, present-day experience. Unpredictable rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and land degradation are impacting our national food security, threatening rural livelihoods, and posing significant challenges to our economy,” he said.
Vice President Conservation International- Green Climate Fund Agency, Steve Panfill noted that the project brings resources from Green Climate Fund to complement major investment by the government of Botswana in building climate resilience.
He stated that through the partnership with the government of Botswana they expect the project to lead to long lasting change. Panffill noted that the project of this kind can only succeed through partnerships and unwavering commitment.
