GABORONE, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Botswana intends to give more land to farming entrepreneurs, as part of efforts to boost economic activities in the country and create more jobs.
Addressing farmers in Pandamatenga, a village in North-West District, some 700 km from Gaborone, capital of Botswana, President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Friday said.
"In view of the limited agricultural land available in the Chobe District, government will release more land for both subsistence and commercial farming," Masisi said.
"As you all know, the Chobe District is classified as a tourism and farming centre of Botswana which will undoubtedly contribute to job creation," the president added.
Botswana's unemployment rate has been spiraling, raising concerns for both the government and communities.
Statistics indicated that Chobe is the highest producer of grain in the whole country. The area once experienced a bumper harvest of over 76,168 metric tonnes in the 2013/2014 season due to good rains.
However, Masisi bemoaned that the region has experienced fluctuations in harvesting ranging from 41,742 to 61,959 metric tonnes because of changes in rain patterns over the years.
Masisi revealed that Botswana and Zimbabwe have initiated a collaboration to strengthen cooperation in the management of migratory pests such as fruitfly, quelea birds, armyworm and locust.
