Ndaba Gaolathe, Vice President of Botswana and Minister of Finance, stated during the budget speech that the government aims to rejuvenate the agriculture sector to spur job creation.
Minister Ndaba Gaolathe said transforming agriculture involves altering agricultural practices by integrating new technologies, enhancing working environments, cultivating specialised skills, and addressing labor shortages through strategies such as automation, precision farming, and robust training programs, ultimately seeking to boost productivity, attract a younger workforce, and guarantee fair working conditions for farm workers.
At present, the agricultural labour market is marked by poor working conditions, unskilled labour, and an irregular market. The industry is dominated by traditional farming, which employs unskilled labour. Owing to unfavorable working conditions such as extended working hours, exposure to harsh weather, and insufficient safety protocols, Gaolathe said the sector has struggled to draw in a young skilled labor force. He said it is characterised by low wages, inconsistent and sporadic jobs, and a deficiency of safeguards from both laws and labour unions. He said the workers are dispersed, which results in the enforcement of legislation being insufficient and ineffective, thereby complicating unions’ ability to function as watchdogs.
Itumeleng Moatshe, a lecturer in Economics (UB) at the University of Botswana , emphasised that establishing supply chain industries in agriculture plays a vital role in formalising the sector by integrating farmers into a structured value chain, improving productivity, and enhancing economic opportunities.
The introduction of new subsectors such as hemp cultivation, organic production, cattle farming, and dairy operations is expected to formalise the industry, according to Moatshe, adding that these sectors will necessitate government regulation of the agricultural industry. Currently, employment conditions are irregular. Moatshe said the industry will undergo a transformation to regular employment with established rights and safeguards under labor legislation, including fixed hours and benefits specified in a formal agreement.
“By integrating small-scale farmers into formal supply chains, these initiatives contribute to labour formalisation within agriculture. As more farmers participate in structured supply chains, employment in the sector becomes more regulated, stable, and productive,” Moatshe said.
She further highlighted that enhancing the involvement of farmers in established supply chains can be driven by the expansion of supply chain industries. By contracting with large supermarkets, small-scale farmers can benefit from structured systems, ultimately hiring permanent labour, improving job security, wages, and working conditions within the sector. Furthermore, she added that the growth of these industries will enhance agricultural production, promoting the advancement of both upstream and downstream activities, thereby strengthening value chains.
Moreover, corporate agriculture will join the industry, which is expected to be capital-intensive, providing fewer chances for creating significant employment opportunities.
“Delivery of resources and support services, along with product development and sales, will serve as extensive sources of jobs, and the potential of agro-industries offers a genuine chance for economic diversification,” she said, adding further that lack of unionisation in the agriculture sector has exposed farm laborers to injustices. Moatshe highlighted that the Employment Act and minimum wage laws have overlooked agricultural workers. Employers could pay farm workers any amount they chose or were able to provide, which led to their exploitation in this aspect. The reason for the exclusion from the Employment Act was that working on farms was viewed as a last resort for employment. However, she said currently, the agricultural sector is now included in the Employment Act and has a minimum wage that employers are required to follow.
“This issue would not have persisted for so long had the sector been under the protection of unions. Union involvement in this sector is typically low, with the majority of trade union activities focused on the public sector,” she said.
Further, Moatshe noted that farmer cooperatives and associations like the Ghanzi Beef Producers Association are less effective in negotiations compared to robust trade unions. This disparity often leads to poor working conditions for agricultural laborers, such as lower wages, irregular hours, and minimal access to safety protocols. She said the absence of strong collective bargaining power from unions in this sector exacerbates these challenges.
The agricultural industry has encountered difficulties in integrating young individuals, who think that agricultural jobs lack opportunities for personal fulfillment. The primary motivation to pursue a career in agriculture is linked to parents involved in farming practices.
But Moatshe said youth participation propels trends in labor diversification, shifting from mainly rural agriculture to urban centers specialising in manufacturing activities. Youth unemployment is a vital factor in agricultural progress and rural communities. She stated that perceptions influence young individuals to overlook careers in agriculture, and this adverse stereotype hinders the transition of agriculture towards a sustainable future. She further remarked that the presence of specific stereotypes about farmers’ images, along with their working conditions and social standing, discourages young individuals from engaging in the industry.
“Most young farmers tend to see agriculture as an alternative while seeking employment in urban areas. The agricultural subsectors, especially hemp cultivation and organic production, will depend on innovation. Implementing these initiatives will position agriculture as a modern, technologically advanced career option, motivating young individuals to explore careers in this field,” she advised.
Automation of systems for repetitive tasks like harvesting, weeding, and sorting will, according to Moatshe, fuel demand for training programs to equip agricultural workers with skills to navigate new technologies, including data analysis, machine operation, and precision farming techniques. She explained that automation in the agricultural sectors follows three phases: diagnosis, decision-making, and execution. These modernisation pathways ought to be sustainable, prioritising increasing food production and creating decent jobs for the rural population, according to the economist. She however cautions that there is a risk that businesses will concentrate on increasing efficiency and overlook employment.
