The Chobe River's fertile soils and abundant waters have proven to be the umbilical cord that supports the livelihoods of subsistence and commercial farmers along the Chobe enclave.
The Chobe enclave is renowned for being home to teeming herds of wildlife, and one would least expect to find any agricultural activity along the riverbank. Nestled in North-Western Botswana, the Chobe District is bordered by three countries: Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Human cross border movement is inevitable. The exchange of seeds, seedlings, and other agricultural produce between communities settled along the river has contributed to the spread of plant pests and diseases, resulting in reduced harvests.
To safeguard its biosecurity and meet its phytosanitary requirements, the Botswana Ministry of Agricultural Development (MOA) and Food Security in partnership with the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are tackling transboundary pests and disease through the European Union (EU) funded ‘Support Towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Policy’(STOSAR) Project.
Farmers nestled in the Chobe Enclave have benefitted from a series of trainings being rolled out by the STOSAR Project, highlighting the dangers of bringing in seeds from neighbouring countries through informal channels in pursuit of cheaper seed varieties.
“Through the trainings, we have learnt about dangerous pests such as larger grain borer which can easily spread across neighbouring countries if people continue to smuggle seeds. We are a vulnerable community that cannot afford an outbreak of destructive pests and diseases that may wipe out our farming produce,” said Darkie Setlhare, who farms along the Chobe River.
“Our proximity to the river does not allow us to use synthetic pesticides as this endangers the health of the ecosystem. Therefore, it is important that we prevent any possible introduction and spread of pests and diseases by following proper import procedures,” said Setlhare.
Through the STOSAR Project, farmers have undergone training on the importance of transboundary plant pests and diseases such as maize lethal necrosis disease, banana Fusarium Wilt and the Larger Grain Borer that have proved to be a thorn in the flesh for farmers in other parts of the continent by destroying harvests.
“The project has helped the country to remain vigilant and to manage the spread of plant pests and guard against the entry, and establishment of new transboundary pests”, said Lesedi Modo, Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes in Botswana. She added, “It supported surveillance activities, development of national pest management strategies for tomato leaf miner, maize lethal necrosis, banana Fusarium wilt and oriental fruit fly, and validation of the fall armyworm strategy”. Lesedi concluded by saying, “The strategies will facilitate the sustainable control of these pests and FAO will support the Ministry of Agriculture to implement the strategies”.
Farmers in the Chobe Enclave expressed gratitude for efforts by FAO and the MoA to sensitize them on the dangers of smuggling seeds and seedlings from neighbouring countries without following the proper phytosanitary procedures.