Improving Sustainable Vegetable Production and Income through Net Shading: A Case Study of Botswana

Abstract: Poor and seasonal production of vegetables has been a problem in Botswana which leads to dependency on imported vegetables. Among others, damage caused by sunburn and birds are important causes for poor production of vegetables. There was a need to explore strategies to minimize the damage caused by sunburn and birds and therefore, to increase the vegetable production. The shade net was found to be a suitable strategy to improve vegetable production by reducing the damage caused by sunburn and birds. The shade net project was planned and implemented in year 2012 at Livingstone Kolobeng College in Gaborone, Botswana (Southern Africa) aiming at improving the vegetable production and therefore, income. The specific objectives of the project were to increase the production and supply of quality vegetables to the school community, to generate additional income by sale of vegetables produced and, to create a demonstration and practical unit for students. All the basic steps considered in designing an effective project such as situation analysis, stakeholder analysis, problem analysis, objective analysis, strategy analysis, log frame analysis, scheduling, swot analysis, budgeting, appraisal and monitoring and evaluation has been presented and discussed. The impact evaluation of the project has given positive results whereby the total vegetable production and the income has increased by 162% and 103%, respectively. The project can be replicated to other schools, government offices, organizations and vegetable farmers not only in Botswana but also in other African countries.