Climate Smart Horticulture Enhances Livelihoods in Botswana

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is providing technical and financial support to the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) on its Strategic Action Programme (SAP) implementation. A key component of this four and a half  year project is the demonstration of environmentally conscious livelihoods and socio-economic development in the Basin. These demonstration projects advocate for the uplifting of the livelihoods of Basin communities through harnessing natural resources with minimum adverse impacts to the environment and enhanced protection of the ecosystem across the three member states of Angola, Botswana and  Namibia. One of such projects demonstrates horticulture production in partnership with the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security of Botswana and the Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (NCONGO). Since April 2019, local farmers in the Maun area have been demonstrating horticulture production by harnessing the water resource from the rivers, using climate smart agricultural techniques and benefitting from training and mentorship. The technical support also includes soil sampling to guide appropriate fertigation, selection of most marketable crops and engaging with local fresh produce retailers. So far, seven farmers have been supported through this intervention and here are their  inspiring sucess stories.

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