Food Policy: Managing Drought and the Environment in Botswana

Environment is a major factor in the design and execution of social policies in Botswana, notably with respect to food and agriculture. The food policy framework in Botswana has been predicated on the National Food Strategy of 1985, the New Agricultural Policy of 1991, the National Policy for Rural Development of 1973, and the Revised National Policy on Incomes, Employment, Prices and Profit of 1990. Up to 1991, major policy objectives were to improve and secure the livelihood of those depending on agriculture, about 70 percent of the population, increase food self-sufficiency, conserve agricultural resources and create more job opportunities for the fast expanding labour force. However, the food self-sufficiency policy had serious effects on the environment, and a new food policy, based on the notion of food security, was subsequently adopted. The new policy not only recognizes the limitations of the physical environment on food production, but also underscores the strategic role of income in acquiring food. In addition, the Drought Relief Programme, whose core includes supplementary and direct feeding programmes, the Arable Lands Development Programme (Aldep), the Accelerated Rain-fed Arable Programme (ARAP), and the Tribal Grazing Land Policy (TGLP), together with the related nutritional surveillance and early warning systems, are designed to ensure that adequate food supplies are available throughout the country. Bibliogr., sum. in French.