Government-Owned Farms in Botswana: Unlocking Economic Value for Communal Farmers

The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture owns a total of 76 farms in Botswana, encompassing various purposes such as veterinary quarantine camps, artificial insemination centers, livestock multiplication farms, and Rural Training Centers. Some of these farms are not in use, with 14 unused farms or camps under the Departments of Veterinary Services and Animal Production. The government is taking steps to unlock the economic value of these land parcels, including leasing unused farms or promoting high-value enterprises, such as dairy development or livestock holdings.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture owns 76 farms in Botswana, including veterinary quarantine camps, artificial insemination centers, livestock multiplication farms, and Rural Training Centers.
• 14 of the ministry's farms are not in use, located under the Departments of Veterinary Services and Animal Production.
• The government has undertaken to lease some unused government farms or utilize them for high-value enterprises, such as dairy development or livestock holdings.
• 21 farms from the three departments and 75 under state land are leased to investors, either through competitive bidders or directly to investors as recommended by investment facilitation urgencies like the Botswana Investment Trade Centre.
• The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture aims to launch a transformative program to benefit communal farmers through improved animal production, compliance, and farm quality assurance, as well as access to high-paying markets.
• The initiatives will focus on enhancing breeding market support and boosting agricultural production and economic opportunities for farmers.
• Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, the acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, emphasized that the ministry is determined to ensure that ordinary farmers, not privileged to own ranches, benefit from the farms.

Statistics:

• Total number of farms owned by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture: 76
• Unused farms or camps under the Departments of Veterinary Services and Animal Production: 14
• Number of farms leased to investors: 21 + 75 = 96
• Farms leased through competitive bidders: unknown
• Farms leased directly to investors as recommended by investment facilitation urgencies: 21
• Farms under state land with expired leases: 20

Sources:

• Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (Botswana)
• Parliament of Botswana
• Botswana Investment Trade Centre
• Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture
• Mr. Palelo Motaosane, MP for Thamaga/Kumakwane