Botswana is facing its third consecutive year of extreme drought, declared by the government for 2023-2024. The drought is primarily exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon and human-caused climate change, leading to diminished crop yields and food insecurity for over 10% of the population. Strategies to combat these issues include traditional practices, government interventions, and new agricultural technologies.
In 2023-2024, Botswana faced its third consecutive year of extreme agricultural drought, significantly impacting crop yields and threatening food security for over 10% of its population. The immediate cause, the El Niño weather phenomenon, worsens drought conditions, which are further exacerbated by human-induced climate change. The UN climate body has reported increasing occurrences of severe droughts globally due to these changes.
El Niño is characterized by warmer surface water in the east-central tropical Pacific, altering global weather patterns and intensifying temperatures. The opposite weather pattern, La Niña, brings cooler sea temperatures and also affects atmospheric conditions. El Niño events typically occur every two to seven years, but unpredictability has increased.
In 2025, contrasting climatic conditions led to above-average rainfall, causing flooding that damaged crops and created challenges for farmers, including waterlogged fields. Leslie Olesitse from Ecosurv notes that climate change in Botswana results in increasingly erratic rainfall, leading to prolonged dry spells and sudden heavy rains.
Dialogue Earth surveyed communities in Botswana’s Central district about the drought’s effects. Farmers like Gadimang Arabang expressed despair over the lack of rain, abandoning ploughing efforts as crops failed to survive extreme heat. The government’s data revealed crop production for 2024 was merely 6% of the national demand, alongside significant livestock losses due to drought.
Traveling through Central Botswana reveals barren landscapes, experiencing fires and devastated grazing lands due to persistent dryness. The semi-arid region typically relies on rainfall between November and March, but El Niño and climate change have disrupted this cycle, making agriculture increasingly uncertain for many.
Community members emphasized the changing nature of rainfall patterns. Farmers like Phetogo Bonang voiced frustration, claiming that even meteorological experts cannot accurately predict the weather anymore. Historically dependent on rain-fed agriculture, these communities now experience heightened food insecurity.
Traditional crops such as mabele are scarce, driving up prices and causing malnutrition among locals who are accustomed to selling surplus food in nearby towns. Section Moseki acknowledged the seasonal shifts but linked the drought to the erosion of cultural values. Many locals attribute worsening conditions to a decay in traditional practices rather than anthropogenic influences.
Despite a deep-rooted conservation ethic within communities, external pressures from non-local individuals have sparked neglect toward the environment. Farmers like Kesentseng Olesitse illustrate the critical role of the mophane tree for local biodiversity, including the mophane worm, which is vital for nutrition and trade.
To mitigate food insecurity and climate-related challenges, Botswana’s government and NGOs have instituted several programs, such as providing animal feed subsidies and emergency food distributions. Organizations like the Botswana Red Cross are pivotal in these humanitarian efforts, pledging to enhance their programs to adapt to changing needs amid climate impacts.
Long-term strategies involve a shift towards drought-resistant crops and sustainable agricultural practices. President Duma Boko’s administration aims to implement modern farming techniques and invest in renewable energy, promoting resilience and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Botswana’s ongoing drought crisis underscores the urgency for sustainable actions to adapt to climate change. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches will be vital for resilience building. The experiences from Majwaneng and Ratholo highlight the human impacts of climate variability but also demonstrate the potential for community-led efforts to address these challenges effectively.
Botswana’s experience with prolonged droughts, triggered by climatic phenomena and exacerbated by climate change, reveals the dire need for immediate and sustainable adaptive strategies. Efforts to blend traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices can enhance resilience. The cooperative work of communities, government, and NGOs is crucial for navigating these climate challenges and ensuring food security in the future.
Original Source: dialogue.earth
