Agriculture

Agricultural statistics are compiled from annual agricultural surveys and decennial censuses in order to establish trends in agricultural production in the form of time series data.  The statistics are used by various stakeholders including Government, private sector, research institutions and NGOs.  The Government of Botswana, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, uses agricultural statistics for evidence-based decision-making and for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, programs, projects and strategies geared towards improving agricultural productivity and rural incomes so as to achieve national food security and reduce poverty.

Agricultural data covers crop production, animal production and agriculture in general.  Data from the Traditional/Subsistence sector (cattle posts, land and villages) is collected on the following indicators;

• System of land tenure
• Farming practices
• Area planted, harvested and crop production by type
• Livestock population and production by type (cattle, sheep, goats)
• Sale of livestock and crop harvests
• Other livestock population (poultry, donkeys/mules, horses, dogs, others)
• Availability of farm labor
• Water supply, farm equipment and machinery inventory
• Farm enterprises
• Disease control measures
• Impact of Government assistance programs e.g. NAMPAAD, ISPAAD etc.

Data from the Commercial sector (farms and ranches) include;

• Cash crops (beans/pulses, sunflower, groundnuts, wheat, cotton, Lucerne etc.)
• Vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, spinach, carrots etc.)
• Fruits (oranges, naartjies, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, watermelons, green millies)
• Dairy cattle