Dr Gobotswang Calls for Traceability in Botswana’s Vegetable Market

Dr Gobotswang Calls for Traceability in Botswana’s Vegetable Market. Sefhare-Ramokgonami Member of Parliament, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, has called for stronger regulation and traceability within Botswana’s vegetable supply chain to ensure food safety and market fairness for local farmers. Speaking during the debate on the draft National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) in Parliament, Dr Gobotswang emphasised the urgent need to treat vegetables with the same safety and quality standards as meat products.

Dr Gobotswang highlighted that Botswana’s vegetable farming sector faces major challenges due to market imbalances. He noted that middlemen and shop owners often take advantage of small-scale farmers, dictating prices and reducing farmer profitability. “Our vegetable market is struggling, and the structure itself makes it worse. Farmers are being short-changed by shop owners who agree among themselves on pricing and refuse to pay farmers fairly,” he said.

He urged for a system that ensures traceability and safety in vegetable production — similar to the Botswana Meat Commission’s regulated meat supply chain. “Vegetables, like meat, must be safe and nutritious. For that to happen, we need traceability. Right now, people buy vegetables from street vendors, but this is hazardous because sometimes they are sprayed today and sold tomorrow,” he cautioned.

Dr Gobotswang added that existing agricultural laws need to be reviewed and properly enforced to improve market standards. He argued that if current regulations were effectively implemented, Botswana could strengthen local production and reduce dependency on imports.