In northern Botswana, life unfolds in a remarkable paradox. Communities in the Okavango Panhandle live at the edge of a desert. Yet, each year, they witness the arrival of floodwaters that spill across thousands of square kilometres of Kalahari sand. These waters transform the landscape into a seasonal wonderland, a globally significant protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, where human-wildlife coexistence is imperative. Farming in wildlife areas in Botswana plays a vital role in sustaining that balance.
Amid this transformation are villages that depend on the land for survival. As part of our ongoing work in farming in wildlife areas in Botswana, Great Plains collaborates with five communities that make up the Okavango Community Trust (OCT): Seronga, Gunotsoga, Eretsha, Beetsha, and Gudigwa. These communities, situated along the eastern panhandle of the Okavango Delta, heavily rely on small-scale agriculture in a region characterised by climate extremes and frequent wildlife encounters.
Human-Wildlife Conflict in Farming Areas
The Okavango Delta is home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations. Their presence is both a point of pride and a challenge. Elephants often travel through established wildlife corridors that run near the outer edges of these settlements. When newly cultivated fields appear along these routes, especially those tilled manually with basic tools, they become vulnerable to crop damage.
In contrast, older agricultural areas situated closer to the villages are less prone to elephant disturbances. However, these original farmlands have remained mainly underutilised due to the lack of modern equipment.
Supporting Community Farming in Wildlife Areas
Earlier this year, traditional leaders from OCT villages presented a practical solution: return to previously designated farmland using mechanised tools. This approach would not only improve agricultural yields but also reduce the risk of elephant conflict by moving farming away from wildlife corridors.
Great Plains responded through its Community Farming Initiative, designed to strengthen both conservation and food security. A walk-behind tractor, plough, harrow, and planter were donated to each of the five villages. The equipment is shared as a community resource and managed by the village Kgosi (chief).
“The tractors came at the right time when the country is on a food security drive, where most farmers are encouraged to produce food to help the nation,” said a District Council representative.
Training sessions were conducted to ensure proper use and care of the machinery, and Botswana’s Department of Crop Production has committed to ongoing support for local farmers.
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- Farming equipment for the OCT villages
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- Farming equipment handover – Seronga Village
Creating Coexistence Through Conservation Farming
By reviving underutilised farmland, reducing the footprint of farming near elephant paths, and improving production with machinery, this initiative aims to create a more peaceful relationship between humans and wildlife. It is a model of farming in wildlife areas that Botswana can continue to build on, rooted in collaboration, traditional leadership, and sustainable conservation practices.
Living in wildlife areas brings both opportunities and challenges. However, with the right tools and partnerships, these communities are creating a more balanced and hopeful future, one that aligns with the core mission of Great Plains Foundation: fostering harmony among people, wildlife, and wild places.
Watch the story unfold.
Community farming in wildlife areas Botswana: see how this is creating new pathways for coexistence and resilience. Watch the video to hear directly from our team leading this transformation on the ground.
If this work inspires you, we invite you to support sustainable farming practices that promote human-wildlife coexistence and food security near protected wildlife areas.
You can make a difference by donating or becoming a Great Plains Earth Partner, our monthly giving community dedicated to the well-being of both people and planet. Together, we can grow a more balanced and sustainable future.
