Local vegetable production needs to double to meet demand
Seven months ago, when the clock struck midnight and 2021 became 2022, Botswana placed an import ban on a number of vegetables.
Among the 16 restricted crops were favourites such as potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and onions.
The idea was to support local farmers and allow homegrown foods to fill the gap.
However, decrying a lack of prior notice, Botswana’s farmers have struggled to fill the void, with demand far outweighing supply, leading to sustained shortages on shop floors and street vendors’ tables throughout the country.
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In this article:‘big five’ crops, 16 restricted crops, Beetroots, Botswana Horticulture Council (BoHoCo), Botswana’s demand for food, Botswana’s farmers, Butternut, Cabbage, carrots, Chilli Peppers, demand, Farmers United, food production, Fresh Herbs, Garlic, Ginger, Green Mealies, horticulture, horticulture agro-ecological Zones, LEA Chief Executive Officer, Lettuce, Limpopo, Local Enterprise Agency (LEA), local farmers, Local production, Local vegetable production, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between LEA and Farmers United, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela, Motloutse, Ngamiland/Boteti rivers, Notwane, onions, potatoes, Racious Moatshe, restrictions on importation, Shashe-River, Small, supply, sustained shortages, Sweet Peppers, Tomatoes, Turmeric, Veggies on the import ban, Watermelons
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