Okavango farmers have been urged to increase the cultivation of drought-resistant crops such as millet, sorghum, and beans as Botswana prepares for an expected El Niño weather pattern during the 2026/27 agricultural season.
The upcoming rainy season, which spans from October to March, is projected to bring challenging farming conditions, including below-normal rainfall and extreme temperatures that could severely depress regional crop yields.
Speaking at the annual Samochima Harvest Festival recently, Department of Crop Production officer Kene Kebalepile stated that farmers must prioritise climate-resilient crops to withstand the harsh impending weather. She explained that El Niño conditions typically trigger severe moisture deficits, which could devastate water-sensitive staples like maize.
Kebalepile strongly encouraged a shift toward expanded millet production, noting that the crop is naturally adapted to local sandy soils and arid climatic conditions, allowing it to yield reliably during prolonged droughts.
Beyond climate constraints, she warned farmers of persistent threats from migratory agricultural pests, specifically locusts and Quelea birds, which can rapidly decimate fields and undermine regional food security. Farmers were urged to report early signs of pest infestations to the Department of Crop Production immediately to allow extension teams to intervene before outbreaks spread.
Kebalepile also encouraged communities to share traditional, indigenous pest-control methods with agricultural officers, noting that local knowledge can effectively complement modern, integrated pest-management approaches.
Addressing human-wildlife conflict, she called on farmers to adopt non-lethal mitigation measures that promote coexistence with wildlife while safeguarding their crops. She advised farmers to study wildlife migration behavior and implement standard deterrents, reminding them that several destructive species in the area are strictly protected under national and international conservation laws.
Kebalepile further urged beneficiaries of state agricultural programs, such as Temo Letlotlo, to remain highly productive and efficiently utilize the inputs and subsidies provided to them to maximize output.
Meanwhile, Samochima Farmers Committee chairperson Kenosi Sethaba praised the growth of the committee since its inception, noting that local farmers successfully used the festival to showcase diverse produce from their fields.
Sethaba revealed that the previous season’s erratic and heavy downpours had adversely flooded their yields, emphasizing that farmers must continuously adapt their techniques to highly volatile weather cycles.
The festival successfully merged agriculture, culture, and heritage tourism, with organizers positioning the three sectors as interconnected drivers of sustainable local economic development.
Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) Industrial Relations Officer Kabelo Mahupe echoed these sentiments, stating that communities should take pride in locally produced goods and traditional practices while exploring avenues to link them with mainstream tourism to unlock new rural revenue streams.
Samochima Village Chief Osenotse Koloi said that the festival is strategically built around three core pillars harvest, culture, and tourism which remain central to securing livelihoods across the Okavango region. The event served as a vital platform for farmers to share strategies while reinforcing the district’s focus on agricultural productivity, household food security, and rural resilience.
