(Ecofin Agency) - In Botswana, the surface of corn, wheat, sorghum, and millet have been cut by 98%, during the current agricultural season, Bloomberg indicated.

According to Thebe Nala, deputy director of agricultural production at the agriculture ministry, so far, only 6, 131 ha have been planted against 384, 250 ha a year before.

This drastic drop is due to a dry spell that occurred during the plowing month, November, and lasted until the last week of January. This contrasts with the above-average rainfall forecasted by weather services.

Botswana government has extended its free agricultural inputs distribution program (seeds and agrochemicals) valued at 600 million pula ($62.6 million), to encourage farmers to increase plantings, Bloomberg reports.

According to estimates from Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB), cereal and commercial stocks should allow the country to meet its food needs for 8 months.

Despite a weak contribution in GDP (around 3%), agriculture remains the main source of livelihood for people living in rural areas. It is mainly driven by farming, which accounts for nearly 70% of agricultural exports.

Espoir Olodo