Botswana moves to diversify economy

BOTSWANA - Botswana has adopted a new policy of commercialising farming in the country in a bid to diversify its economy.

The country's agriculture, which currently provides 3% of GDP, can contribute to more to the economy and assist in curbing unemployment, Botswana's minister of agriculture John Swartz said.

The minister, who presided over an agricultural show in the northern region of the country, said commercialisation would not only benifit farmers but the country as whole.

"We will focus on assisting farmers who are serious about commercial farming. Our farming can be sustainable and attractive if it is viable. Nobody wants to invest in an undertaking that will not pay."

He said that livestock farming faced many challenges such as disease outbreak, but that the government is there to assist.

Botswana, with assistance from World Bank, has set up the foot and mouth control programme aimed at reducing the effects of the disease.

Source: A.N.D