- Tsaone Segaetsho
Farmers United, a local horticulture association, is reaping the benefits of Botswana’s long-standing vegetable import ban, its leadership said during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The ban, widely supported by the government, has led to significant investment in local farming infrastructure, including the construction of the state-of-the-art Safe Pro Cold Storage Solutions facility, which cost the government P65 million, with the aim of ensuring the quality and proper storage of local produce.
The vegetable import bill has shrunk imports dramatically over the past two years, increasing citizen participation in farming and offering potential medium-term benefits to the domestic economy. Farmers United defended the ban as a means to strengthen the agricultural value chain and promote citizen empowerment.
“The vegetable ban has done a lot of good because the farmers were able to upscale. For example, a farmer now uses two hectares to grow watermelons, compared to only a quarter of a hectare before the ban. You cannot upscale when you do not know if there is a market. The ban has given us reassurance that there is an available market,” said Farmers United chairperson, Malcolm Molefe.
Molefe also highlighted improvements in farming practices, including diversification of produce, technological advancements and infrastructure investments, positioning local farmers to enter export markets.
However, the ban has faced criticism from consumers, who complain about poor product quality, inconsistent supply, and high prices. Many agree that Botswana’s horticulture industry is still in its infancy, with the country historically relying on South Africa for vegetables. This has resulted in some consumers smuggling vegetables from neighbouring countries to fill supply gaps.
Market dynamics, including insufficient supply, have driven up demand and prices, significantly impacting household spending. September and October inflation spikes were partially attributed to vegetable costs.
Farmers United, however, defended the prices, pointing to retailers as the primary cause of inflated costs. “Retailers buy vegetables from us and sell them at triple the price. The perception among consumers is that farmers are expensive, yet we have no control over market prices. Retailers dictate these prices,” said a Farmers United member.
The ban has also created trade tensions with South Africa, whose agricultural sector was adversely affected by the loss of Botswana as a key export market. In response, South Africa’s government introduced stricter requirements for vegetables imported from Botswana, a move observers see as retaliation and a challenge to Botswana’s fledgling horticulture sector.
