Farmers in Botswana have been urged to increase local fodder production to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported forage. The call came during a Fodder Farm Walk held recently at Ezekiel Njoroge’s Farm in Oodi, bringing together farmers, agricultural extension officers, and livestock sector stakeholders to share knowledge on sustainable fodder practices.
Host farmer Ezekiel Njoroge highlighted that Botswana currently produces only 10–12 percent of its national forage requirements, with 88–90 percent imported. He warned that this dependence on imports drives up production costs and threatens the long-term sustainability of the livestock sector. “Fodder production in Botswana is still at a lower level, leading to importation of forage. With the growth of the national herd, forage demand has increased significantly. This growth must be matched with adequate local feed production, otherwise the country risks deepening its reliance on imports,” he said.
During the farm walk, Mr. Njoroge provided live demonstrations of practical fodder production techniques. He encouraged farmers to improve land utilization, adopt modern production methods, and consider irrigation where feasible to enhance yield and reliability.
Participants also engaged in interactive question-and-answer sessions covering fodder establishment, management, and strategies for long-term sustainability. The discussions emphasized the importance of scaling up fodder production not only to cut import costs but also to strengthen feed security and support national food security objectives.
The farm walk concluded with a clear message: expanding local fodder production is essential for Botswana’s livestock sector, offering economic, environmental, and food security benefits while reducing dependence on imported forage.
