Botswana expects to earn about P152 million from organic turmeric exports to Germany under a new agricultural export initiative, according to Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Baratiwa Mathoothe.
Mathoothe said the exports will be produced by 160 local farmers contracted under a pilot organic turmeric programme covering the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. He was responding ton behalf of Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Edwin Dikoloti.
He said the initiative is a partnership between a German company and a local agricultural firm. Of the 160 contracted farmers, only 24 planted turmeric this season, covering a total of 22.3 hectares across eight districts. Mathoothe attributed the low uptake to high start-up costs.
He said establishing a single hectare requires about P61,000 for seed alone, while total production costs — including certification, traceability compliance and other inputs — can rise to as much as P300,000 per hectare per season.
“Many aspiring farmers were unable to secure the necessary loans,” he said.
The turmeric was planted between September and November 2025 and is currently at the vegetative or early reproductive stage. Harvesting is expected in May or June, followed by drying, with the first export consignments scheduled for August or September.
Mathoothe said the 24 participating farmers are expected to produce about 892 tonnes this season. He added that a single hectare is projected to generate between P4 million and P6 million in revenue from both rhizomes and leaves.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, Mathoothe said momentum for the programme is building. At the official launch on March 28 at a model farm in Palapye, more than 100 participants attended, with 70 farmers already trained and finalising contracts for the next planting cycle, which is expected to begin in August.
A comprehensive training programme will run from March to July, while farmer recruitment continues through media campaigns and newspaper advertisements, he said.
Mathoothe added that one large-scale farmer is preparing to cultivate up to 200 hectares, which is expected to create more than 120 permanent jobs and about 180 temporary positions.
He also said the ministry plans to expand organic production to other high-value crops, including ginger, garlic, safflower and medicinal herbs. The 70 newly contracted farmers will also be allowed to diversify into crops such as safflower, moringa, bird’s-eye chilli and roselle in the 2026/27 season.
The details were provided after Shoshong Member of Parliament Moneedi Bagaisamang asked the ministry to outline the number of farmers contracted, actual planting figures, reasons for non-participation, expected harvest volumes and export timelines, as well as projected revenue.
