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
Livestock population for 2014 Annual Agricultural Survey
Livestock typeTraditional populationCommercial PopulationTotal livestock population
Cattle1,596,605-1,596,605
Goats1,605,642-1,605,642
Sheep227,247-227,247
Donkeys/Mules227,200-227,200
Horses26,827-26,827
Chickens1,017,444-1,017,444
Crop NameArea Planted (Ha)Area Harvested (Ha)Production (Metric Ton)
Sorghum650535019814310
Maize13004210419728550
Millet 849068503398
Beans/Pulses37413251856826
Crop NameYield per Area Planted (kg)Yield per Area Harvested(kg
Sorghum220285
Maize220274
Millet400496
Beans/Pulses182271