Botswana has announced restrictions on the export and import of scheduled key grains, maize, and sorghum, as per Joel Ramaphoi, permanent secretary of the country's Ministry of Entrepreneurship, in a statement on Friday. With immediate effect, the exportation of these goods would stop, while the importation would cease at midnight on May 15. The decision is aimed at ensuring food security and prioritizing local demand.
Government-Supported Farmers Must Sell Harvested Grains to Botswana Agriculture Marketing Board
Joel Ramaphoi said that all harvested maize and sorghum by government-subsidized or supported farmers must be sold to the Botswana Agriculture Marketing Board for storage, resale, redistribution, or further processing in the value chain. The trading activities of government-supported commercial farmers engaged in the production of scheduled grains for food security purposes, as well as those operating in special economic zones, should be regulated.
Local Farmers Exporting Grains to Outside Markets Contributed to Shortages
Clement Sibanda, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, added that local commercial farmers prefer to export grains to outside markets with better prices, which has contributed to sorghum and maize shortages in Botswana. Therefore, the government is emphasizing the need to cater to local demands and to improve domestic production to ensure self-sufficiency.
The decision by the Botswana government to restrict the export and import of key grains is a step towards improving domestic production and meeting local demand for food security. It will also ensure that government-supported farmers are able to sell their products at a fair price and contribute to the development of the local economy.