LEA promotes fodder production

• Feed demand projected to reach 11.9 million tonnes by 2035
• SMMEs urged to tap into opportunities across fodder value chain
• Drought, water scarcity threaten local production

GORATAONE KGOSIMORE

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Botswana’s projected increase in national animal feed demand from 6.9 million tonnes in 2026 to 11.9 million tonnes by 2035 is opening up business opportunities for small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) across the fodder value chain.The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) is encouraging local entrepreneurs to tap into the sector, which has potential to create jobs, strengthen domestic feed production and reduce reliance on imports.

This emerged at an SMME Fodder Opportunities Workshop hosted by LEA on Tuesday, bringing together farmers, agricultural associations, technical support institutions and financiers to explore business and investment opportunities in Botswana’s fodder industry.

Opportunities across the value chain

Presenting the business opportunities under the National Fodder Strategy, LEA Head of Information and Knowledge Management, Dynah Solani said opportunities extended beyond fodder cultivation to include the supply of agricultural inputs, production, processing, distribution and marketing.

She noted entrepreneurs could venture into supplying seeds, establishing nurseries, providing information and communication technology (ICT) solutions and facilitating access to finance.Other opportunities include fodder production, particularly lablab and lucerne cultivation, tractor-hire services, processing, packaging, storage and distribution. Solani also identified aggregation centres and supplying feed to end-user markets, including the beef, dairy and small-stock industries, as potential areas for investment.

She said the projected growth in national feed demand presented scope for entrepreneurs to establish businesses capable of meeting the livestock sector’s expanding needs while creating employment.

Drought and water scarcity threaten production

However, Ministry of Lands and Agriculture Principal Scientific Officer John Mthetho cautioned that local fodder production continued to face challenges, particularly drought, water scarcity, limited access to quality seeds and inadequate technical capacity.

He said recurring drought conditions and limited water resources affected fodder production, making efficient water management and climate-smart agricultural practices essential for the sector’s sustainability.Mthetho called for the adoption of climate-smart fodder production strategies, including drought-tolerant legumes and grasses, conservation agriculture and water-efficient irrigation methods to improve soil conditions and increase productivity.

He also pointed to the potential use of modern technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence-based advisory platforms, to support production planning and improve agricultural decision-making.

On the role of government and other stakeholders, Mthetho said there was a need for supportive policies, extension services, research and training, as well as stronger collaboration with private sector players and farmers’ associations.He noted  the expected benefits of the National Fodder Strategy included increased productivity and incomes, as well as employment creation.

LEA to Support Aspiring Entrepreneurs

LEA Acting Chief Operations Officer, Mothusi Fana, said the growing focus on food security, livestock productivity and climate resilience makes the fodder industry an important area for enterprise development and economic diversification.

“Botswana is placing greater emphasis on food security, livestock productivity, climate resilience, and economic diversification. The livestock sector remains one of the key contributors to agricultural livelihoods in our country, and its success depends significantly on the availability of quality and affordable animal feed,” he said.

He said LEA would support entrepreneurs and farmers seeking to enter the industry through business development services, training, advisory support and strategic partnerships.

“Through our business development services, training programmes, advisory support, and strategic partnerships, LEA is committed to empowering entrepreneurs and farmers to participate meaningfully in this emerging sector,” he said.