Botswana
Indigenous trees, food
and livestock production
| Main info | |
|---|---|
|
Name / Location |
Phuduhudu and Khumaga / Central District, Botswana |
|
Involved Partners |
Botswana International University of Science & Technology – BIUST |
|
Agroecological Zone |
Arid |
|
Climate Classification |
Arid, desert, hot |
|
Land Ownership |
Communal land |
|
Total Area (ha) |
3 ha |
|
Area Under AF (ha) |
2 ha |
|
Non-AF Farmland (ha) |
1 ha (separated by natural veld) |
|
Support Organization |
Elephants for Africa (NGO support) |
Agriculture is challenged by limited water availability, extreme heat, soil degradation, and desertification.
In the heart of Botswana’s arid Central District, the Living Lab brings together traditional knowledge and climate-smart agroforestry innovation. In response to growing challenges such as water scarcity, extreme heat, and wildlife conflict, this lab explores how indigenous trees can be integrated into livestock and food production systems.
Set across separated plots of communal land, it offers a unique space for co-creating resilient land management practices in dryland environments. The lab also facilitates local knowledge exchange and community-driven experimentation.
Main Challenges
Botswana is facing a mounting set of environmental challenges that threaten both its ecosystems and the livelihoods of its people. These include:
- Limited water availability
- Extreme heat intensified by prolonged droughts
- Land degradation
- Wildlife-agriculture conflict
These challenges are placing severe pressure on rural communities. The harsh conditions strain crops, reduce yields, and stress livestock, making traditional farming practices increasingly unsustainable.
Agroforestry response
In response, Botswana's Living Lab offers a forward-looking solution. Within this initiative, indigenous trees, food crops, and livestock will coexist in harmony, harnessing the full benefits of agroforestry practices.
Among the key crops being introduced are maize, sorghum, millet, watermelon, and sweet reeds. The main livestock species involved include cattle, goats, and donkeys.
By combining traditional knowledge with sustainable practices, Botswana’s Living Lab will create resilient, productive landscapes where nature and agriculture work together in harmony.
