Ministry of Agriculture releases Q4 2022 report on the state of Potato production in Botswana

The report states that during the period under review, production was very low. This was mainly attributed to high temperatures and rains during the planting period of October to December 2022 leading to few farmers planting. Only Silver Horizon and Red Cedar in the Ghanzi district planted potatoes at 44ha and 3ha respectively. Even though the quality was low, the potatoes finished towards end of February 2023. The farms are however expected to resume supply again at the end of March 2023.

Expected Production

Smuggling
Following permanent closure of borders for selected horticultural crops, smuggling increased and Q1 2023 has been no exemption.
Cases of smuggling are still recorded. Potatoes are still being sold locally yet there is no production in Botswana... Click To Tweet

Recommendations
The Ministry therefore recommends that no border opening for importation of potatoes be done since Red Ceder and Silver Horizon are expected to start harvesting in March 2023. The Ministry fears that any temporary border opening will result in stockpiling of potatoes and further exacerbate smuggling. Furthermore, local farmers will not be able to sell their produce as the market will be saturated by the time they start harvesting.