Botswana is moving to transform the humble mopane worm from a seasonal rural staple into a globally recognised “superfood”, as government ramps up efforts to formalise and commercialise the growing phane industry.
Responding to questions in parliament on Tuesday, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Wynter Boipuso Mmolotsi outlined a strategy aimed at turning the sector into a structured green value chain that supports rural livelihoods, protects ecosystems and expands export opportunities.
For decades, phane has served as a critical safety net for rural households, providing food and cash income during drought years when crop harvests fail. Now, government says the sector is poised to play a larger role in Botswana’s emerging green economy.
Through the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme, community trusts in areas such as Bobirwa, Topisi and Tshimoyapula are being supported to manage and benefit from the resource. Authorities are also promoting phane harvesting as a climate-resilient livelihood in eastern and northern Botswana, while encouraging youth and women to participate across the value chain.
Training programmes are being rolled out before and after harvesting seasons to promote sustainable harvesting methods and proper environmental practices.
Central to the strategy is positioning Botswana phane as a premium, sustainably harvested organic product for international markets.
Government has tightened oversight of cross-border trade, introducing mandatory export permits costing P2,200 per consignment and requiring phytosanitary certificates to confirm products meet international health standards.
This comes after Mmolotsi reported that by January 2026, the ministry had issued 10,174 veld product permits, a significant increase from 3,874 permits issued in January 2025. The growth reflects rising demand for natural products both locally and in regional markets.
Revenue generated from veld product sales also surged during the same period. According to the ministry, sales reached P 97.55 million by January 2026, compared with P 11.29 million recorded in January 2025, indicating the growing economic importance of these resources for communities and small-scale traders.
say the move is designed to track volumes leaving the country while ensuring Botswana benefits more from its natural resources. Regulations and standard operating procedures under the Forestry Act of 2025 are also being developed to facilitate trade in non-timber forest products.
As demand rises, conservation is being placed at the centre of the industry’s expansion. Mopane worms are now classified as a protected forest resource under the Forest and Range Resources Act of 2025, giving authorities stronger powers to penalise illegal or unsustainable harvesting.
Seasonal harvesting permits, quotas in some areas and restricted harvesting periods are intended to protect breeding cycles. Habitat conservation is also being promoted through land-use planning that safeguards mopane woodland ecosystems.
Government says the next phase will focus on shifting the sector from raw harvesting to value addition. Initiatives include supporting community participation in trade fairs and exhibitions and encouraging small and medium enterprises to invest in processing, packaging and branding.
By marketing phane as a sustainably harvested organic superfood, Botswana hopes to tap into growing global demand for alternative protein sources and ethically sourced food products.
The ministry says the strategy reflects a broader effort to balance rural development with environmental protection, positioning natural resources as drivers of sustainable growth.
If successful, the transformation of phane from survival food to export product could generate new income streams for rural communities while cementing Botswana’s place in the global green economy.
