Crop production rises threefold � De Graaff

Agriculture minister Christiam De Graff said current crop production stood at 220 000 metric tonnes in the year, of which 125 000 metric tonnes were cereal, as compared to a total production of 64 980 metric tonnes, and 33755 metric tonnes respectively in 2012/2013. De Graaff revealed this during a recent media briefing in Gaborone.

He also noted horticulture had great potential for growth. “We have seen the number of commercial farmers increase from 26 in 2008 to 80 in 2012 before successively increasing to 183 in 2014. The ministry is doing all it can to support horticulture growth,” he said.  De Graaff further said in the previous season 2013-2014, a total of 417 000 hectares were planted by more than 127 thousand farmers. This translated into a 113 percent increase of area planted compared to 2012-2013.