The government has significantly increased funding for agricultural support schemes initiated during former President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s tenure, boosting the sector’s budget by P900 million for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The revised development budget raises the total estimated cost (TEC) of agricultural support schemes from P3.14 billion to P4.04 billion. According to draft figures seen by this publication, the additional funds will strengthen key initiatives such as Thuo Letlotlo, Temo Letlotlo, and the Horticulture Support Programme, all introduced during Masisi’s presidency to enhance food security and boost local farming.
“The TEC for Agricultural Support Schemes needs to be increased by P900,000,000 from P3,143,384,217 to P4,043,384,217 to cater for agricultural programmes such as Thuo Letlotlo, Temo Letlotlo, and Horticulture Support,” the 2025/2026 draft estimates of expenditure from the consolidated and development funds indicate.
In a related development, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (MOLA) is seeking an additional P55 million for its 2025/2026 development budget, increasing the TEC from P351.6 million to P406.6 million. The funds will support infrastructure projects under the Development Manager (DM) model, including the Ramatlabana Artificial Insemination Laboratory and Training Centre, which aims to enhance Botswana’s livestock industry through advanced breeding programs and research. Additionally, the budget will contribute to constructing the Sandveld road, among other projects.
The Research Support Programme will receive a P40 million boost, raising its TEC from P100 million to P140 million. This increase will fund initiatives led by the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI), focusing on consolidating and integrating research and developing facilities to optimise centers of excellence nationwide. These centers will specialise in various commodities to strengthen Botswana’s agricultural and research sectors.
The Ministry of Agriculture will also advance its digital transformation efforts, with an additional P21 million allocated to computerisation projects, raising the TEC from P68 million to P89 million. The funding will support the Botswana Agricultural Information Management System (BAIMS) and the Botswana Agricultural Information Traceability System (BAITS), both essential for improving efficiency and transparency in agricultural management and traceability.
The Animal Production Programme will receive the largest single budget increase, with an additional P65 million, raising its TEC from P20.5 million to P85.5 million. This funding will support projects under the DM model and other initiatives aimed at enhancing livestock production and sustainability.
In response to climate-related challenges, the government has also increased the Climate Change Resilience Programme’s budget by P6 million, raising its TEC from P31.9 million to P37.9 million. The additional funds will address pest management and the disposal of obsolete pesticides, among other environmental management initiatives.
