GABORONE, Botswana — Safflower, once overlooked by many farmers, is emerging as a potentially transformative crop in Botswana, offering small-scale producers a climate-resilient pathway to improved food security and income generation. According to a report by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), safflower is drought-tolerant and well-suited to Botswana's semi-arid climate, making it an attractive option for farmers facing erratic rainfall.
The government of Botswana, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has initiated programs to promote safflower cultivation. In 2025, the ministry distributed safflower seeds to smallholder farmers in the Central and Kgatleng districts as part of a pilot project. The project aims to assess the crop's viability and encourage adoption among farmers who traditionally rely on sorghum and maize.
Early results have been promising. A 2025 field trial by the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) showed that safflower yields averaged 1.2 tonnes per hectare under dryland conditions, compared to 0.8 tonnes for sorghum. Safflower oil, which is high in linoleic acid, has potential for both domestic consumption and export, with the Botswana Bureau of Standards developing quality standards for the oil.
Despite the potential, challenges remain. Farmers need access to processing facilities and markets. The government is collaborating with private sector partners to establish a safflower oil processing plant in Francistown, expected to be operational by 2027. This plant would provide a ready market for farmers and reduce post-harvest losses.
As Botswana seeks to diversify its agricultural sector and reduce food imports, safflower represents a strategic opportunity. With continued support and investment, it could become a staple crop for smallholder farmers, enhancing their resilience to climate change and improving rural livelihoods.
