26 May 2026
Government has launched a P125 million Green Value Chain Development Programme under the Botswana-European Union Financing Agreement, marking a significant step towards strengthening sustainable economic development and enhancing local value addition in key sectors.
The programme will run for four years from February 2026 to February 2030.
Launched by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the programme will focus primarily on ecotourism and horticulture value chains. These sectors were selected due to their strong comparative advantage, growing market opportunities, and their potential to create jobs whilst increasing local participation in economic activities. The initiative adopts an integrated and systems-based approach aimed at building long-term sustainability across both sectors.
A major component of the programme includes targeted capacity development through a trainer-of-trainers model, which is intended to ensure that knowledge and technical skills are institutionalised locally and expanded sustainably over time.
In addition, the programme seeks to strengthen business support organisations and ecosystem actors by improving coordination, access to market intelligence, and responsive support services.
The programme will also provide tailored policy and regulatory support to create a more enabling environment for businesses operating within the green economy.
Speaking during the launch yesterday, Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Edwin Dikoloti said government, in partnership with the ITC, will identify priority horticultural products, including vegetables, herbs, and indigenous crops, as well as areas with the greatest potential for employment creation.
Dikoloti explained that the programme will provide targeted training and capacity-building support to small-scale farmers and cooperatives to improve production methods, business management, and market access skills. He further revealed that the initiative will support the development of a horticultural price-information mobile application designed to provide farmers with updated market information, including commodity prices and available market opportunities.
“This will enable farmers to make informed decisions on where and when to sell their produce.
The programme will also strengthen linkages between farmers and the tourism sector to create reliable markets for locally produced horticultural products,” he said.
According to Dikoloti, the Green Value Chains Programme is expected to contribute significantly to improved food security, reduced dependence on imports, growth in agro-processing, and increased participation in regional and international markets. He noted that these outcomes are interconnected and will collectively strengthen the resilience and sustainability of Botswana’s agricultural sector.
Addressing challenges affecting agricultural productivity, Dikoloti highlighted water scarcity as a major concern and stressed the importance of adopting climate-smart agricultural practices such as drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and the use of drought-resistant crop varieties.
“In line with this, our grant scheme will prioritise investment in water-efficient technologies so that we may make every drop count and turn scarcity itself into a source of innovation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Tiroeaone Ntsima said the Botswana–European Union Financing Agreement demonstrates the strength of Botswana’s international partnerships and the importance of sustained cooperation in advancing national development priorities.
Ntsima stated that the programme comes at a critical time when global economic conditions are rapidly changing, making investment in sustainable industries increasingly important.
“It is against this backdrop that our focus on green value chains is both strategic and far-sighted.
It positions Botswana to take its rightful place in emerging global markets, where sustainability is no longer a distant aspiration but the very currency of trade, investment, and consumer preference,” he said.
He added that the successful implementation of the programme would require strong coordination, transparency, and continuous engagement amongst all stakeholders.
“As the lead ministry, we shall remain a steadfast partner to this programme, working hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the interests of Batswana are fully and faithfully advanced,” Ntsima said.
Source: https://shorturl.at/w9mJE
