In a dramatic shift spurred by the worst drought in four decades, Botswana is turning to distant shores for salvation. The usually self-sufficient nation is reaching out to Brazil and Australia in a desperate bid to import grain, a move almost unthinkable in its history.
The culprit behind this unprecedented scramble? El Niño is the climate phenomenon that has unleashed scorching heat and miserly rains across southern Africa. Crops have withered under the relentless sun, leaving Botswana and its neighbours facing a spectre of hunger.
“The plan is to import regionally and internationally to augment the little harvest expected,” said Adelaide Johnson, spokesperson for the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board. This marks a stark departure from tradition, as Botswana has relied heavily on South Africa for grain imports in the past. The devastation wrought by El Niño, however, has rendered regional solutions insufficient.
The Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board, the custodian of the country’s strategic grain reserves, is now venturing into uncharted territory – seaborne trade for corn and sorghum. This move mirrors actions taken by Zimbabwean millers who are exploring imports from far-flung destinations like Brazil, Mexico, and even the United States.
The severity of the drought is further underscored by the pleas of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The 16-nation bloc recently issued an urgent appeal for a staggering $5.5 billion to combat the twin threats of drought and floods triggered by El Niño.
Botswana’s predicament is particularly concerning. Farmers were forced to slash the area planted for summer crops by a staggering two-thirds, leaving just over 98,000 hectares under cultivation. The Ministry of Agriculture painted a grim picture, acknowledging the minimal chances of a successful harvest and the vulnerability of maize (corn) to heat stress.
“Some crops such as maize have reached the permanent wilting point,” the ministry stated bluntly.
The looming crisis has spurred the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to finalize a nationwide assessment of crop yields and food security. President Mokgweetsi Masisi awaits this crucial data before making the potentially grim decision of declaring a drought emergency. With neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia having already taken this step, Botswana may soon find itself joining the ranks of the drought-stricken.
This unprecedented foray into distant grain markets underscores the severity of the El Niño-induced crisis. As Botswana grapples with the prospect of hunger, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a reprieve from the scorching grip of the weather phenomenon.
