Analysis of Horticultural Production Trends in Botswana

Abstract

An analysis of vegetable and fruit production trends in Botswana was carried out focussing on 1997 to 2009 cropping years. For vegetable production the results showed an increase in yield and total production from 1997 to 2009. The area planted with vegetables accounted for only 3% of variation in yield indicating that the area planted with vegetables had no significant effect on yield during that period. The national demands for vegetables increased from 1997 to 2009, but imports started to decline in 2001. Regression analysis showed a significant decline in imports as total production increased. Total production accounted for more than 50% of variation in imports indicating that a significant proportion of national demand was met by local production. Total fruit production increased from 3000 to over 9000 tons from 2003 to 2008 but declined in 2009. Yield increased twofold from 2003 to 2005 but declined by more than 50% at the end of 2009. Regression analysis showed a significant decrease in yield as area planted increased; indicating a decrease in productivity. The national fruit production was surpassed by demand during 2003 to 2009 revealing a deficit in fruit production. The total imports of fruits declined significantly as total production increased suggesting that some of the demands for fruits were catered for by local production. These results suggest that famers need to be trained on good management of crops so that productivity can increase with increase in area planted to horticultural crops.

First report of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in Botswana

“…Exports of vegetables from developing countries have immensely increased in the past decades, and horticultural exports have been reported to contribute to improvement in food security and livelihoods in these developing countries [9]. Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) is highly ranked as a food and cash crop [10,11] in Africa and indeed Botswana [12]. However, biotic factors such as insect pests hamper production [11], which may compromise household and national food security.…”

Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) in Southern Africa: Research Trends, Challenges and Insights on Sustainable Management Options

“…However, despite large expansion in land committed to horticulture in the region, returns per unit land area are still minimal [41], mainly due to pest related losses and, in some cases, high production costs. In addition, small-scale brassica farming systems are dominated by low scale cultivation of non-rotated monocrops with heavy dependence on family labour and locally available inputs [4,13].…”

“…On the other hand, African urban areas of the host DBM and evidence is presented that these traits may have coevolved, parasitoid efficacy in the face of climate change may be compromised [26]. Without coevolution of thermal tolerance, DBM challenge may likely intensify due to conducive climatic conditions [37][38][39][40][41] that may stimulate increased pest activity (feeding, breeding, and migration) [26,38]. Therefore, without efficient control mechanisms, the DBM problem could continue to increase despite the intensive pesticide use, which to-date may have been short-term, ineffective, unsustainable and expensive [18].…”

Soil Moisture Based Irrigation Test in a Remotely Monitored Automated System

“…The national demand for vegetables in 2008/09 was estimated to be 50 000 tons comparative to local production which was only 3 100 tons [1]. According to Botswana [11], fruits and vegetable production decreased by 19.5% in 2016.…”

“…Horticulture industry is mainly constrained by water shortage due to the dependence on seasonal unreliable rainfall and poor farm management practices [1]. These challenges threaten food security of the country since it heavily relies of imported foods products.…”