The chairman of the Maize and Wheat Millers Association (MWMA), Sir Wonder Masebola, has called on government to reform Botswana's grain procurement and import policies, arguing that the country must support local farmers while keeping millers supplied and food affordable for households. Masebola made the call in remarks reported by The Business Weekly & Review on 4 November 2026.
The association wants a system that gives local farmers dependable buyers while allowing millers to import enough grain to cover the gap between what Botswana produces and what the nation eats. It is a plain, practical demand: buy Botswana-grown grain first, then import the shortfall without bureaucratic obstruction.
Food security is built in the supply chain, not the supermarket
Masebola said food security depends on cooperation among farmers, transporters, millers, retailers and policymakers, not on any single link in the chain. That message should resonate with anyone who understands that a nation which cannot feed itself is a nation that does not control its own destiny.
Food security is not built in supermarkets, he said.
It is built through the combined efforts of farmers, transporters, millers, retailers and policymakers working together to ensure that every Motswana has access to essential food products.
MWMA warned that restrictions on grain supplies harm more than milling companies. Interruptions to production put pressure on employment, raise operating costs and disrupt the availability of everyday foodstuffs on shop shelves.
Local milling facilities represent substantial investment in processing equipment, storage, logistics and quality assurance. Their capacity to supply the domestic market rests on consistent access to raw materials and on the technical skills needed to run sophisticated manufacturing systems.
Masebola pointed to the depth of citizen expertise behind the industry.
When people think about milling, they often think about machines and products. What they do not always see is the depth of citizen expertise behind these operations. Across our member companies, Batswana are acquiring specialised skills, managing sophisticated technologies and building careers in one of the country's most important manufacturing sectors.
A dependable market for local farmers
The association maintains that millers stand ready to buy every tonne of locally produced grain that meets agreed quality standards and commercial requirements, with imports covering the shortfall between local production and national demand.
MWMA is also pushing for direct purchasing arrangements between farmers and millers. Participating millers can pay farmers within a week of delivery, subject to agreed commercial terms, giving growers an alternative market and greater certainty over payment.
The proposal speaks directly to longstanding complaints about delayed payments through the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB). MWMA argues that farmers should have the freedom to choose where they sell their crops. A farmer who is paid promptly can manage his cash flow and prepare properly for the next planting season. That is how a responsible market works.
Masebola reaffirmed the industry's commitment to domestic agriculture.
Every tonne of grain produced locally matters. Our industry remains committed to supporting Botswana's farmers because stronger agriculture translates into stronger food security, stronger rural economies and greater national resilience.
Why imports remain necessary
Botswana's climate simply does not allow the country to grow all the maize and wheat it consumes. Economist Dr Keith Jefferis said climatic conditions mean Botswana will continue to face maize and wheat shortfalls, although the country could achieve sorghum self-sufficiency in a good year.
Hence imports are critical for securing national food security, and it is therefore irrational to ban or restrict imports, Jefferis said.
He also recommended making sales to BAMB optional and allowing farmers to sell directly to millers. The logic is hard to dispute. A policy that leaves millers short of grain, farmers waiting months for payment and consumers facing empty shelves serves nobody's interest, least of all the nation's.
The stakes are real for ordinary households. Inflation has been easing, with headline inflation falling to 7.8 percent in September 2026 from 9.3 percent in August, according to The Rio Times, but it remains above the Bank of Botswana's target range. Food price stability matters more than ideological purity in grain policy.
Protecting investment, jobs and affordable food
For MWMA, grain policy must recognise milling as part of the infrastructure underpinning national food security. Beyond processing staple foods, the sector supports employment, purchases local goods and services, and sustains transport and distribution businesses across the country.
Masebola said the industry's contribution reflects years of investment and the development of local expertise.
The story of milling is ultimately the story of national resilience. These facilities represent decades of investment, innovation and commitment to Botswana. They are not simply factories; they are part of the infrastructure that feeds our nation, supports our economy and contributes to our long-term development.
MWMA is calling for engagement among government, BAMB, farmers and millers to develop practical arrangements that prioritise locally produced grain, facilitate prompt payment and allow timely imports when domestic supplies fall short.
Such an approach would strengthen the market for local farmers while protecting the processing capacity that turns grain into reliable, affordable food. It is a call for common sense and cooperation over centralised control, and government would do well to answer it.
FAQ
What is the Maize and Wheat Millers Association proposing?
MWMA wants Botswana to prioritise locally grown grain while allowing millers to import enough to cover the shortfall between domestic production and national demand.
Why does MWMA say grain imports should not be restricted?
The association and economist Dr Keith Jefferis argue that Botswana's climate makes maize and wheat shortfalls unavoidable, so restricting imports threatens food supplies, jobs and affordable prices.
How would farmers benefit from the proposed reforms?
Direct purchasing arrangements would let farmers sell straight to millers, with payment within a week of delivery under agreed terms, instead of waiting on the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board.