Gov’t bottlenecks impede Panda’s agro-tourism
Mompati Tlhankane | Monday February 28, 2022 06:00
Agro-tourism or agricultural tourism is an industry built around visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural or agribusiness operation for leisure, education, or active involvement in the activities of the farm.
When government announced that it would allow farmers to keep small game as a way to encourage locals’ participation in agro-tourism, most people thought any bottlenecks in the way of the initiative’s success would also be removed.
A May 2019 cabinet meeting deliberated on the proposal to relax requirements governing the regulation of change of land use for allocated land parcels. At the time, it was observed that there was an array of legislation within government institutions that were restrictive towards changes in land use. This was despite President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s request to relax provisions to allow Batswana to change any piece of land they hold a title on, and enable them to engage in other economic activities different to that they had originally applied for. Additionally, cabinet directed all the Land Authority to effect the amendments to Botswana Land Policy of July 2015.
Long after the government released its revised guidelines for licensing of agro-tourism operations, residents of Pandamatenga are failing to make a decent living out of their fields (masimo).
One such is a commercial farmer in Pandamatenga, Basadi Molelekeng, who has found it tough to tap into agro-tourism and diversify its products. Molelekeng, who was supposed to be the first person in Pandamatenga to operate an agro-tourism business, got her efforts frustrated when the Chobe Land Board refused to let her operate the venture in field homestead.
She took her case to the Land Tribunal and lost.
“Most homesteads here are part of the farms but mine is miles apart from my farm because of the clay soil in my farm,” she told Mmegi. “I had set up tents in my homestead for visitors who come here for agro-tourism who would visit the farm, but the Land Board shut me down and told me that the place is for living not an agro-tourism venture. “I have been fighting this thing for over three years now.”
According to the revised guidelines, tourist-related accommodation can be in the form of a bed and breakfast, guesthouse, nature lodge/camp, hotel, self-catering apartments, campsite, backpacker’s accommodation and a cultural village. Molelekeng, however, said there was no way her visitors would agree to stay in the same farm she couldn’t live in as a result of the unfavourable conditions.
Molelekeng’s troubles stem from the fact that the land-use guidelines limit the amount of land one can set aside on a single plot for agro-tourism. At least 85% of the area should be reserved for agriculture purposes. Buildings and other impervious surfaces associated with agro-tourism should not cover more than 15% of the plot.
“The homestead is part of the farm, they are not separate entities,” she clarified.
Molelekeng also said long before the government announced that it would relax the provisions, she had researched a lot about agro-tourism.
“I realised that some of these things are not rocket science. “We grow up with the mindset that commercial farming is for white farmers and it is just that we never have the opportunity to come and learn,” she said.
She said even after losing her case she never understood the reason she could not venture into agro-tourism. The entrepreneur felt the entire process was meant to frustrate her.
Molelekeng has vowed not to throw in the towel and is now taking the case to the High Court, an indication of the confidence she feels around agro-tourism in Pandamatenga.
“I gave the Land Board my proposal and told them the venture would be for educational purposes. “I told them we would put an advertisement inviting applications for people who want to be part of the planting period on the mentioned dates. “We wanted people to experience farming activities like spraying and harvesting. “People were going to learn a lot from this and by teaching people I was going to benefit in terms of free labour. As people experience the venture, they would also help me with farm activities.”
Pandamatenga Farmers Association chair, Ryan Neal who used to be in the tourism industry before going into commercial farming full time, told Mmegi that there is a lot of potential for agro-tourism in Panda since they are located just 100 kilometres south of the Chobe National Park.
“This could be a quick stop for tourists going up to the park or the Chobe River. “If there is anyone from the city who wants to look at farming operations, they could easily come here. “I think if more vegetable production and some small livestock production happen in Panda then we could see more agro-tourism. The broadacre fields are not the most exciting to look at in terms of agro-tourism but if someone puts their effort and passion, there is potential,” he highlighted.
Pandamatenga ward councillor, Tengenyane Tuelo said apart from Molelekeng’s failed attempt, agro-tourism has not started in Pandamatenga and many people have not tapped into it. He said even with the provisions relaxed, it is not everyone who can venture into agro-tourism.
“When we talk about the general public it becomes difficult and I don’t think we are going to see anyone doing agro-tourism anytime soon,” he said. “Government should build roads because people cannot access agro-tourism facilities if we don’t have these and electricity.” Tuelo urged government to seriously invest in the Pandamatenga area and identify a piece of land specifically meant for agro-tourism.
For his part, Johane Chenjekwa, Chobe Land Board chairperson, said the old guidelines which created bureaucratic ways have been reviewed to allow land authorities to relax and allow Batswana to use what they already have.
“We have fully welcomed that change from the government in the sense that people are holding on to ploughing fields and several undeveloped land uses. “By availing another opportunity to say we can allow you to do agro-tourism is a plus for us because they are not going to ask for new land from us instead they are able to use the same unused land and find an opportunity,” he said.
Chenjekwa added that previously in Chobe, wild animals were not allowed to be reared in farms because of the proximity of the national parks and game reserves. He said with the revised agro-tourism provisions they now want to give Batswana another platform and also a sense of ownership. Chenjekwa added that more people are applying for change of land use to utilise their unused land.