From the 6th -8th August 2015, government’s first Development Financial Institution, NDB travelled to the Chobe Region to partake at the Annual Chobe Agricultural Show delivered under the theme “Filling the Botswana Food Basket” which it has become synonymous with over the years. NDB has financed the majority of commercial farmers in the Chobe region as part of its mandate to boost arable farming in order to improve household sustenance and the country’s food security.

The three day well profiled event attracted 87 exhibitors as compared to 75 from the previous year. This is proof that the show is growing in leaps and bounds. The Bank maintained its support for the show at P150, 000.00 as part its commitment as entailed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the Bank entered into with the Association during the 2014 Chobe Agricultural Show. When presenting the sponsorship during the official opening, NDB CEO, Mrs Lorato Morapedi said, “We appreciate the value that the show adds to the farming community both within Chobe region and the nation across. Networking and benchmarking is integral to any business that is why we continue to invest in farmers’ gatherings.” Morapedi further stated that the total area planted by Pandamatenga Commercial Farmers this cropping season stood at 31 559 ha and total harvest for this year is estimated at 30 000 metric tons which represents 10% of the national cereal requirements. “Whilst the Chobe region is doing its best so far to contribute towards filling the Botswana food basket, you will agree with me that more still needs to be done to achieve national food security” said Morapedi.

Morapedi continued to explain to the show attendees that even though NDB is billed for privatisation and commercialisation, the Bank’s support and appetite for the agricultural sector will remain unquestionable and unwavering.

In his remarks, the Chairperson of the Pandamatenga Farmers Association, Mr Jac-Johan van der Westhuizen thanked NDB for the steadfast support in providing financial products that benefit members of the association and the farming community at large and pledged that with the support extended to the Pandamatenga farmers they will remain committed to contributing significantly to Botswana’s food basket.

On a lighter note, the Bank hosted farmers to a masquerade themed cocktail dinner the previous night to give clients an opportunity to network and share their concerns with the Bank’s Executive.