Good morning, let’s get into it!
CEDA (Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency) has launched a powerful new set of funding products aimed at boosting Botswana's agricultural sector.
Whether you're a long-time farmer, a civil servant dreaming of starting a farm, or part of a community co-op, there's a new opportunity for you.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s on offer.
1. For Existing Cattle Farmers: Cattle Production Breeding
This product has been revised and improved. The most exciting change is new funding for Working Capital.
What's new? Farmers often struggle with the day-to-day expenses. Now, you can get a loan of up to P200,000 specifically for:
Feeding and Supplements
Vaccines and Medicines
Transport and other operational costs
What hasn't changed? You can still get the main loan for Breeding Stock (like cows, bulls, and calves) for up to P50 million.
2. For Employed Professionals: "Thuo Khumo"
This is a brand new product designed specifically for people with formal jobs who want to get into farming.
Who is it for? Civil servants, parastatal employees, and private sector professionals.
What's the best part? No business plan is required.
What does it fund? It covers everything you need to start:
Breeding stock (cattle)
Vaccines
Feed
Transport
Infrastructure (farm equipment, borehole drilling, etc.)
Loan Amount: Up to P750,000.
3. For Crop Specialists: Fodder Production
To help Botswana grow its own animal feed and rely less on imports, CEDA will now fund fodder production.
What does it cover?
Working Capital: For things like seeds, fertilizers, and packaging.
Asset Finance: For equipment and storage facilities.
Who is it for? Individual farmers, farming clusters, and companies.
Loan Amount: Up to P10 million.
4. For Modern Breeders: Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
This product helps farmers use modern science to improve their herd's quality and genetics.
What does it fund? It helps farmers undertake:
Artificial Insemination (AI): Using semen from top-quality bulls.
Embryo Transfer (ET): A more advanced technique to quickly multiply high-value animals.
Loan Amount: Up to P500,000.
5. For Farming Groups: Group Funding
This is a large-scale program for farming groups to build and share major facilities, known as Communal Agricultural Parks.
Who is it for? Cooperatives, Clusters, and Associations.
What can you build?
Communal Feed Production Fields
Communal Milk Collection Centers
Communal Feedlots
Communal Artificial Insemination Centers
Loan Amount: Up to P50 million.
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