Blog

The Government is steadfast in creating inclusive agricultural systems that ensure equal access to opportunities and resources for all citizens, particularly women and young people. 

This commitment was highlighted during the official opening of the 6th Steering Committee meeting for the Improving Agricultural Resilience to Salinity through Development and Promotion of Pro-Poor Technologies (RESADE) at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) on Tuesday.

Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, emphasised that President Advocate Duma Boko had unequivocally stated the need for modernisation in the agricultural sector to ensure the nation produced sufficient food. “Our agricultural vision aims to foster a climate-resilient, technology-driven and inclusive agricultural sector that empowers our farmers and secures our nation’s food future,” Dr Dikoloti said.

He expressed gratitude to development partners, including the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), for the support and investments that bolster Botswana’s commitment to a sustainable agricultural economy. 

The primary objective of the RESADE initiative is to enhance food security and alleviate poverty among smallholder farmers, with a focus on women and youth. Dr Dikoloti highlighted that the project, implemented by the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) in collaboration with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), leverages science, innovation, and community collaboration to achieve its goals.

The RESADE initiative aligns with the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), which emphasises productive agriculture, value chains and rural industrialisation. Dr Dikoloti said collaboration between RESADE teams and NARDI was vital for enhancing Botswana’s competitiveness and positioning the nation as a leader in climate-smart agriculture.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to skill development, technological advancement, innovation, and research aimed at increasing productivity and fostering sustainable livelihoods.

Dr Viviane Filippe, a representative of IFAD, discussed key interventions of the RESADE project in Botswana and other participating countries, highlighting efforts to manage and adapt to salinity. 

“The project aims to improve food security, agricultural productivity, and the incomes of smallholder farmers affected by salinity,” she stated, adding that the introduction of salt-tolerant crops and improved water management practices is part of IFAD’s broader strategy to enhance climate resilience.

Across Bobirwa District, a mix of anxious hope and quiet fear hangs in the air. Subsistence farmers – young and old – are watching the skies and their phones with equal intensity, waiting for two lifelines: the long-awaited rains and the text message alerting them that their Lemang Dijo subsidised packages have arrived.

For many, the anticipation is sharpened by uncertainty. They hope the rains will continue long enough for successful planting, yet dread that heavy downpours could render their clay-rich fields inaccessible to tractors and animal draught power.

As of December 8, 6 733 subsistence farmers had registered for the Lemang Dijo programme in Bobirwa, with 168 already receiving e-vouchers. But those issued with vouchers report a common frustration: the absence of seeds at designated agro-dealers, a delay they fear could undermine government’s intention of ensuring timely planting.

While most farmers are clear on the crop production element, many remain unsure about the programme’s integrated beekeeping requirement. Only a handful of those interviewed understood the role of bees in pollination, while others admitted to fear or confusion -particularly about handling the insects.

The programme guidelines explain that bees pollinate about 90 crops, increasing yields by up to 30 percent per hectare, with the beehive e-voucher capped at P1 500.Yet 72-year-old Ms Tshokolo Baruti of Mmasenana lands in Semolale is skeptical.

“Jaanong dinotshi tsone ke le mosadi?” she asked rhetorically, wondering how a woman her age could cope with bees. Still, she remains committed to planting as soon as she receives her seeds, fertiliser and other inputs — and hopes the forecasted rains will find her field already ploughed.

The programme has also drawn interest from young farmers, including those familiar with earlier schemes such as ISPAAD and Temo-Letlotlo. Mr Letso Oleteng, 20, of Magaleng lands in Sefophe, is still waiting to redeem his 100 percent subsidy for tillage, seeds, pesticides, shelling and threshing – all covered under a P2 900 per hectare e-voucher. Currently in Gaborone, he says one phone call will put him on the next bus home. Unlike some, he accessed the guidelines on social media and believes the beekeeping component makes economic sense.

Other farmers, such as Mr Kebalepile Mzila of Mahibitswane lands in Tobane, were unable to source seeds after being turned away from BAMB in Selebi-Phikwe. Mzila, who previously learned beekeeping through ISPAAD, has already planted four hectares and awaits inputs for his Lemang Dijo plot.

At Phokoje lands in Mmadinare, 71-year-old Mr Boikaego Kangangwana is energised by the new programme, although he depends on tractor owners and worries about delayed assistance. He notes that when he plants on time, his fields typically produce a bumper harvest.

Not all farmers are enthusiastic about the compulsory beekeeping element. Ms Maretha Mokgathane of Keisane lands, Bobonong, said farmers were advised to “go home and reconsider” their stance. She admits she did not fully understand the requirement and will be planting maize instead of her usual beans. Similarly, 39-year-old Ms Refilwe Madema of Mabolwe rushed to register after learning she had missed a kgotla meeting. She has since been approved for the programme and, like others, is waiting for seeds but remains uncertain about the bee component.

District agronomist Ms Keakabetse Phalaagae acknowledged both the knowledge gaps and logistical setbacks. She assured farmers that no one will receive beehives without proper training, noting that issuance will only begin next season after compulsory introductory courses. She also confirmed delays in seed and fertiliser supply, explaining that designated suppliers had not completed registration at ministry headquarters during the first week of December.

To ease the backlog, the crop production office began collecting fertilisers from Francistown on December 10 using its only functioning truck. The department currently has just two working vehicles, even though officers must verify fields before payments to service providers can be authorised.

The district office has requested funds from programme headquarters to hire casual labourers and repair additional vehicles borrowed from the district commissioner’s office.

Lemang Dijo is an output-based agro-ecological programme designed to strengthen household food security and correct structural weaknesses that limited earlier initiatives. For now, the farmers of Bobirwa wait – for the rains, for the seeds, and for the message that will signal their turn.

At just 37 years old, Ms Kelly Maphucheka is passionately working to reshape the concept of purpose.

Approaching the age of 40, a time often said to mark the beginning of a new chapter in life, this dedicated philanthropist and human rights advocate from Tatisiding is already making a remarkable impact in the lives of those in need.

As a mother of three lively boys, two twins and their younger sibling, Ms Maphucheka’s journey reflects her steadfast commitment to service and community upliftment.

With a robust record of charitable efforts in Francistown, Ms Maphucheka serves as an inspiring figure in her community.

She has successfully collaborated with various local businesses, including My Spar, Fours, Sefalana, Coca-Cola, Global Lubricants and Debonairs, to make a tangible difference.

Through these partnerships, she has been able to provide vital support to children at the Lephoi Centre, delivering necessities such as school uniforms, bags, shoes and sanitary products thanks to contributions from African Child at Work, a South African charity.

Her philanthropic activities go even further, she has organised festive Christmas parties, distributed meals, including soup and bread, to vulnerable children and played a crucial role in a fundraising dinner for the Francistown SOS Children’s Village during a time of dwindling international support.

Her passion for compassion towards the less privileged was born out of her own experiences growing up in the Mmoroso ward of Tatisiding.

Ms Maphucheka recalls being deeply touched by families in her neighbourhoods who went to bed without a single meal and she began to ponder the plight of children in those families.

“My family was not that poor and we lived a good life like anybody else as my father was working, but what touched me a lot were those that did not have anything,” she said.

This early empathy for the struggles of others has driven her to address food insecurity and empower children in need.

“I started all of this as an individual, fuelled by a deep sense of passion,” Ms Maphucheka noted, underscoring her personal dedication.

However, she quickly recognised that her vision required more than individual efforts.

In 2023, she founded the Feed a Child Movement, a structured platform to facilitate her charitable initiatives.

“It all began during the SOS fundraising dinner, I realised I needed an organised entity to help advance my mission,” she explained.

With a background in journalism and a deep awareness of the struggles faced by  families, Ms Maphucheka has channelled her passion into addressing food insecurity and empowering children in need.

Her approach goes beyond immediate aid, she is nurturing skills and talents to help children not just survive, but also thrive.

Through Feed A Child, which she established in 2023, Ms Maphucheka is providing food assistance while also focusing on holistic

Although still in the registration process, the movement has expanded its focus to include skill development and talent nurturing across various sectors, especially agriculture, which plays a crucial role in Botswana’s rural economy.

“Feed a Child is about far more than just providing meals, it is about fostering skills and talents to bring about sustainable change,” Ms Maphucheka said.

Her vision is to cultivate world changers and critical thinkers who will emerge as agents of transformation in their communities.

Despite some misconceptions surrounding her work, she remains committed to sharing credible stories that resonate with the mission.

With the assistance of business consultants and a global agricultural network, Ms Maphucheka is developing proposals and innovative outreach ideas, inviting others to join her impactful journey.

“What is in it for you is the very same network,” she said, encouraging collaboration.

As she pushes towards the official registration of the Feed a Child Movement, Ms Maphucheka’s aspirations are set to elevate.

With ambitions to extend her work throughout Botswana, her vision is both simple and profound.

“We are training world changers and critical thinkers, and this is just the beginning. Through Feed a Child, we aim to nurture talents, empower communities and cultivate a legacy of hope and resilience for generations to come,” she said.

Her efforts are a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and those familiar with her work say she was creating a more holistic approach to aid, empowering children to become agents of change in their own right.

With plans to register Feed A Child and expand its reach across Botswana, Ms Maphucheka is eager to involve more community members and organisations in her mission.

Her work highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling challenges that government support alone cannot address.

Ms Maphucheka invited individuals and businesses to join her cause. She urged people to volunteer their time to help with programmes that feed, nurture and develop the talents of children in the community, believing that every hour counted is making a difference.

She said donations of food supplies, educational materials, or other resources were also welcomed, as every contribution directly impacted the lives of vulnerable children.

She encouraged the use of social media and community platforms to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these children and the work that Feed A Child was doing, noting that amplifying the message could drive more support to the cause.