APPENDIX 2:

LAND REQUIREMENT
FOR

AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES:
GUIDELINES

Agricultural Guidelines

Land Requirement

Appendix 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Background ...................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Objectives ........................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Methodology: ................................................................................................... 3
1.3.1
Data collection ....................................................................................... 3
2
THE GUIDELINES ............................................................................................. 4
2.1 Beef Production ............................................................................................... 4
2.1.1
Extensive grazing ................................................................................... 4
2.1.2
Cattle ranching: ...................................................................................... 4
2.1.3
Extensive dairy production .................................................................... 4
2.2 Small ruminants/small-stock ........................................................................... 4
2.2.1
Small stock farm .................................................................................... 4
2.2.2
Fodder Production for small-stock......................................................... 5
2.2.3
Feedlots or zero grazing ......................................................................... 5
2.2.4
Distance from Main settlements ............................................................ 5
2.3 Poultry.............................................................................................................. 5
2.3.1
Chicken Production ................................................................................ 6
2.3.2
Broiler Production, Option 1.................................................................. 6
2.3.3
Broiler Production, Option 2.................................................................. 6
2.4 Pig Production ................................................................................................. 7
2.5 Feedlots ............................................................................................................ 7
2.5.1
Loading ramps ....................................................................................... 8
2.5.2
Market centres........................................................................................ 9
2.6 Dairy Production .............................................................................................. 9
2.6.1
Semi-intensive dairy production .......................................................... 10
2.6.2
Intensive grazing .................................................................................. 10
2.6.3
Highly intensive or zero-grazing method ............................................ 10
2.6.4
Handling Facilities/Residential ............................................................ 10
2.7 Ostrich Production ......................................................................................... 10
2.8 Apiculture (Bee Keeping) .............................................................................. 11
2.9 Aquaculture (Fish Culture/Production) ......................................................... 12
2.10 Forestry ........................................................................................................ 12
2.10.1 Woodlots .............................................................................................. 12
2.10.2 Nurseries no information given ........................................................ 13
2.10.3 Backyard nurseries no information given ......................................... 13
2.11 Horticulture (for FAP Projects only). .......................................................... 13
2.11.1 Vegetable Production ........................................................................... 13
2.12 Citrus Production ......................................................................................... 13
2.13 Water Development ..................................................................................... 14
2.13.1 Wells .................................................................................................... 14
2.13.2 Dams .................................................................................................... 14
3
Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 15
4
References .......................................................................................................... 15

Table 1
Table 2

LIST OF TABLES
Typical floor area requirements for cattle in feedlots ................................ 8
Water quality requirements for fish ponds or fish cages ......................... 12

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INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background
The ministry of Lands and Housing has initiated a study whose main purpose is to review
the Physical Panning Hand Book for Botswana and the Land Board Manual in order to
make it easy for the development of both the urban and rural areas, with reference to
environmental aspects. Among the issues to be addressed is the development of the
standards manual for agricultural enterprises with regard to land allocation/use. It will be
easy to prepare this manual, if the existing guidelines are availed in a single document. This
ministry requested MoA to avail the present guidelines in a single document that can be
used by various stakeholders. It was for these bases that the present study was carried out.
The role of the Ministry of Agriculture is to give technical advise on land management for
a given enterprise and to ensure compliance is adopted during the land use planning
process. The selection of the best land use options is based on land suitability, which is a
function of land qualities of the land units together with the land use requirements of the
propose uses. Agricultural enterprises as some of the land use options, are usually
recommended for the land units with respective qualities. The sizes of land parcels
allocated to the agricultural enterprises are usually control by the demand, the scale of the
proposed projects, management system applied and the Land Boards. Land Boards as the
land authorities for the communal lands have mandate to determine the plot sizes.
In most cases it is difficulty to quantify the plot sizes for agricultural enterprises due to
cumulative effect of the contributing factors such as the nature and the scale of the project
under taken, the type of management system required and the level of the skill of the
farmer. For commercial projects the scale of the enterprise, the management system or the
technology applied and the costs in-cared are the major factors contributing to the plot size.
For example, if two farmers want to venture into two separate dairy projects, with a
stocking rate of 50 cows per project, the first farmer wish to practice semi-intensive method
(requires 250-300 ha) and the second farmer will zero grazed (requires 500 m2) his animals,
then it can be seen that they require different land parcels, yet the scale of the project is the
same, and the level of the skills of farmers is different. Most of these projects used hightech equipment, which is very costly. For the projects to be viable, therefore, they require
plot sizes that can be both economically and environmentally sustainable. This situation
becomes more complex when it comes to mix farming. The farmer may have a major
enterprise and have other small enterprises to spread the risks. Another farmer may have a
number of these enterprises with an equivalent scale for the same purpose, and each of
these will need a specific plot size depending on the nature of the project and management
system required.
1.2
Objectives
The lack of a single document on guidelines for land allocation with regard to agricultural
enterprises made it difficult for DLUPUs and Land Boards to make meaningful decisions,
which in turn results in the uneconomic land parcels or sizes allocated to the individual
projects. This study concentrates on the agricultural enterprises only. This document will
serve as a tool that will be used by both district land use planning units and land boards
through out the country.

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The first objective is to have a consolidated document, which will serve as a guiding tool
for land allocation with regard to agricultural enterprises. Both DLUPU and Land Boards
would use this tool.

The second objective is to have guidelines for land requirement for each agricultural
enterprise, for future reference.
The third objective is to have a single document, which will provide the basic information
to the consultancy that will be preparing the Agricultural standards Manual with regard to
land allocation/use.
1.3

Methodology:

1.3.1 Data collection

The subject matter specialist dealing with specific enterprise was requested to make a
submission of the guidelines. These separate sheets were compiled into one document. A
number of the available literature on the same subject was consulted.
Previous studies
Bekker, R. P. and Boom M. (November 1995). Guidelines for Land Allocation along the
River Banks in the Maun Area.
FAO/UNDP/Government of Botswana project
BOT/91/001, Field Document 1. Gaborone. A detailed guide on how to allocate plots to
the different agricultural enterprises along the river banks in the Maun area.

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2
THE GUIDELINES
The Guidelines are for projects carried out under common law only, as rain fed arable
production and extensive beef production are already catered for in the communal areas.
2.1

Beef Production

Beef production is one of the major enterprises of the Agricultural sector. Cattle usually
graze freely in the communal areas. Where possible some will be confined to ranches.
2.1.1 Extensive grazing
In many areas, cattle are allowed to graze freely in the communal areas, and land board
certificates are only required for boreholes.
2.1.2 Cattle ranching:
Cattle ranches are currently established during the implementation of the New Agricultural
Development Policy- the Fencing Component. According to Agricultural Planning and
Statistics Model, the ranch sizes depending on the carrying capacities of the planning areas.
In order to allow future growth of the already existing settlements, ranches should be
established no less than 20 km from the boundary of such settlements. This distance is
given as a guide and not uniform and standard distance. The Land Boards should treat each
case according to its merits (NPAD-The Fencing Component- Implementation Procedures
and Guidelines, 1998.)
2.1.3 Extensive dairy production
This is primarily a ranch cow milking scheme, using beef cattle and milking once a day,
normally in the early morning. Cows are usually milked while standing in a kraal. Milk is
only available during the calving season, which is generally around late October to early
January, with a second calving period about six months later (for cows with~18month
calving intervals).
2.2

Small ruminants/small-stock

2.2.1 Small stock farm

The size of the sheep and goat farm is dependent on its location in relation to the ecological
zones of this country. A farm in the eastern hard-veldt of this country needs a small piece
of land per unit while a farm in the western sand-veldt will require more land per unit
because of the fragile and loose top layer of soil. These two factors should always be
considered when allocating land for small stock. Under extensive grazing system a small
stock project requires land as follows:

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Under extensive grazing systems, a livestock unit (1LSU) is equivalent to six goats.
A mature goat and its followers will require an average of 2 ha., i.e. 2.0-ha/mature
animals. This stocking rate is considered as sustainable in the long-term.

In the Western Sandveld areas, a mature goat and its followers will require 3 ha. per
mature animal, for sustainable use.

Additional land of approximately 0.75 ha. will be required for holding kraals and
dipping tanks, and a further 0.25 ha. for housing, staff accommodation and offices
and general farm storage. The accommodation and offices should not be located
immediately adjacent to the holding kraals, if possible, due to the smell/odours from
goat/sheep manure.

These guidelines are general; they may vary for each specified land units depending on the
availability of shrubs and browse.
2.2.2 Fodder Production for small-stock
As small stock is able to utilize a variety of poor feed resource it is expected that under
mixed crop livestock farming crop residue can be fed to small stock. In areas where crop
residue may not be readily available a farmer may be allocated an extra three hectares (3.0
ha) of land to produce his own feed to be used during the dry period of the year.
2.2.3 Feedlots or zero grazing
This is only done to animals going for slaughter, which appear not to be in good condition.
They are fed in order to gain the required weight and minimum fat requirement. Each
mature animal should be accorded an area of 2m2-3m2 to enable free movement.
2.2.4 Distance from Main settlements
When allocating farms near big villages the distance between the farm and the village
should be 8-19 km depending on the growth rate of that particular village because the main
villages of Botswana are growing very fast. As for small villages or settlements the
distance should be around 5 km from the village or settlement. It should also be noted that
some small stock projects will always be more closer to the villages as long as the crop
lands continues to be closer to the settlements. Any farmer who has a space closer to his
field should be considered when he wants to start a small stock project.
2.3
Poultry
For this enterprise, the recommendations based on plot allocation are based on the
following reasons:

Increased frequency of poultry disease in poultry farms

Increase in types of poultry diseases
The fact that commercial layers, broilers, and parent stock come from outside the
country, and that no facilities exist for quarantining these birds when they enter the
country.

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2.3.1 Chicken Production

It is well-known that many pathogens (disease agents) are transmitted through the air,
while others are transmitted by live vectors e.g. birds, rodents, human beings, etc. As a
result, strict bio-security measures such as increasing the distance between chicken houses
and in between farms helps in reducing the frequency of disease occurrence on farms. The
following recommendations, therefore, take into account the scarcity of the land:

For a chick production enterprise, it is recommended that a minimum of 150m x

120m be given to an applicant. This can accommodate up to 4 ,000 layers in 4
chicken houses which are 14m x 8m each and have the distance of 50-100m
between them.

Commercial broilers (meat chickens). Two options are recommended in the broiler
sector (below).

2.3.2 Broiler Production, Option 1

A broiler farmer will need a 200m x 200m plot to accommodate up to 10,000 chickens in
five houses which are 25m x 8m. The distance between the houses should be 50m to 100m.
An extra plot of 40m x 40m should be provided for the abattoir at any convenient but not
necessarily adjacent to the rearing farms.
2.3.3 Broiler Production, Option 2
A 300m x 300m plot should be enough to accommodate 10,000 birds and a poultry
abattoir. Additionally:

Parent stock or breeder farms should be at least 1 km away from other farms.

Poultry abattoirs should be at least 250m from the chicken-rearing farm.

Distance between the farms a minimum of 500m between the farms is considered
safe. It is stressed that the best poultry farm is a solitary one.

Distance from residential plots - a poultry projects must be 1km from the residential
plots. In the case of land shortage, a minimum of 500m could be accepted.

Availability of water and electricity on the farms - water remains indispensable to

all types of poultry projects. It is therefore necessary in the rearing and processing of
chickens. Electricity is necessary in the processing activities and for cooling.

Feed manufacturing plants - to collect their farm supplies many poultry farmers are
visit feed-mills. This requires that the feed-mills should be located at a reasonable
distance from the farmers to avoid infection from farms. One hundred meters is
considered adequate.

The minimum drinking water requirement is 700 litres per 1000 birds per day.

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2.4
Pig Production
There are two commonly used types of pig production, which are weaner production, and
breeding. The scale of production is affected by the numbers of animals to be kept.
Additional land may be required for farmers wishing to allow fallow pigs and boars to
roam in open paddocks.

A piggery project should be 1 km from the nearest home/dwelling. The project

should be built on a loamy soil.
The project must be at least 500m from the river.
The project must be at least 50m from other projects excluding horticulture.
It must be at least 500m from dairy projects, poultry broilers and other food
processing plants e.g. bakery.
It must have a reliable source of water. The minimum drinking water requirement is
50 litres/animal/day. In addition, 20 litres /animal/day is needed to wash the animal,
the stall and the equipment.
It must have at least land of not less than 70m x 70m for obtaining funds from FAP
and NGOs, for a 10 sow unit which will produce 200 piglets /year.
The project must be located within 100 km radius of the market.

A 40m x 40m plot is needed for producing weaners, with the following requirements:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.

13m x 3.7m rearing pens

4m x 4m store-room
toilet
drainage gutters around and leading from the pens
sewerage/sludge pit
dumping site
loading ramp

A 70m x 70m plot is needed for housing a pig-breeding scheme with the following
requirements:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.

8 rearing pens12.9m x 3m each

Boar pen 3m x 3m
Sow shed 12m x 10m
5 barrowing pens
Storeroom 4m x 4m
Toilet
Space for drainage lines
Dumping site
Sewage
Space for loading ramp
Space for loading vehicles

2.5
Feedlots
This is a new type of cattle rearing in Botswana. The guidelines are currently being
developed. It should be noted, however, that the amount of land required depends on the

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management of the project, on the scale of the project rather. As these animals are zerograzed, feed production also requires more land.
The suggested plot sizes for feedlots under dirt conditions are based on 93-100m, per
animal.
Feedlots may, in the future, be assessed in a similar way to a dairy, however, as feedlot
owners may wish to grow some fodder in order to reduce feed costs.
Table 1

Typical floor area requirements for cattle in feedlots

Class, age of
Animal

Barn/shed floor
area/animal (m)

Dirt floor
area/animal (m)

Paved floors
area (m)

Cattle 2yrs +
Yearlings
Calves
Pregnant cow
Mature Bull

12 16
9 12
69
30 40
30 46

93 100
40 60
40 54
0.5 1 ha.
0.5 1 ha.

15 31
10 15
6 15
-

Water reqt
/animal/day
(Litres)
60
50
40
75
75

The MoA recommendations are that fodder production should be part and parcel of the
feedlot enterprise, to make the project viable.
The most critical factor is the area of land that can be set aside for fodder production. For
example, if 5 hectares is adequate to produce enough dry matter for 50 animals, then the
land requirement for each project can then be estimated. The requirement for this estimate
is that the maximum number of animals to be kept in the feedlot, at any one time, must
stipulated by the land applicant.
Certain facilities are also required, such as workshops, offices, storage, farm managers
house, labour quarters, etc. These structures/facilities require space away from the feedlot
kraals.
Two examples are given below, to demonstrate the land area requirements of a feedlot
enterprise:
1. A small-scale enterprise with 50 head of feeder steers. The required land would
be 0.5 ha., with another 1.5 ha. needed for other facilities, plus 5 hectares for
fodder production based on dry mater intake. The total land area is therefore 7
ha. If on-site fodder production, is not required, 2 ha. will be adequate.
2. A large-scale enterprise with 1000 head of feeder steers. Ten hectares are
required for the animals, with 1.5 hectares for other facilities, and 100 ha. for
fodder production, making a total of 111.5 ha. If no fodder production is
required, however, only 11.5 ha. will be required.
2.5.1 Loading ramps
The Ministry of Agriculture is currently constructing loading ramps throughout the
country. Land Boards frequently ask how much land is required for these facilities.
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A standard loading ramp, with three kraals plus one crush and a loading ramp, should
measure 150 x 200 meters square. The number of kraal required will vary according to
number of animals that are normally held for loading at any one time.
2.5.2 Market centres
The Ministry of Agriculture intends to establish Agricultural Market Centres. Farmers
Associations regularly request land for these market centres.
There are no standard sizes for these facilities, as these depend on the types and the
quantities of produce, to be marketed, and also on the amount of capital available to the
developer.
The MoA Market Centre would normally require an area of approximately 200m x 150m.
2.6
Dairy Production
There are four methods of dairy production that can be/are used in Botswana. The first is
referred to under beef ranching, as it is seasonal, opportunist milking of lactating beef
cows. True dairy farming methods are discussed below under semi-intensive, intensive, and
highly intensive production systems. The general recommendations for all dairy operations
are stated before describing the requirements for the specific production systems.
Land is a very important factor in any dairy project. The terrain on which dairy farms are
built should not be on ponds or standing water with subsequent fouling by dung.
Land will be required for

fodder production will require 5ha. per 50 cows

milking sheds, feeding parlours, and offices require 40m x 40m.
holding kraals will require about 20-25m x 20-25m per 50 cows

Clean Water is of vast importance to a dairy farm. Consumption of clean water results in a
marked decline in the number of animals suffering from water borne diseases and also in
the number of losses. An ample pure water supply is necessary for the watering of animals
and washing milking utensils and par lour/shed. The amount of clean water required for a
dairy project is as follows:

Enough drinking water, for ~60 litres /animal/day.

~30-45 litres /day for washing milking equipment.
~18-21 litres/day for cooling of milk.
This gives a total of ~126 litres of water per day.

Market Location - a dairy project should not be located very far from the market. It should
be located as follows, depending on the road type to be used for transportation of milk to
disable formation of fat globules:

Distance from dairy farm to the market on sandy roads is 60km

Distance from dairy farm to the market on gravel roads is 70km
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Distance from dairy project to market on tarred roads is 100 km.

2.6.1 Semi-intensive dairy production

General land requirements for a semi-intensive dairy farming are:

One Livestock Unit (1L.S.U), or one Mature Animal requires 10-12 hectares, i.e. for
a herd of 50 dairy cows 500-600 hectares are required.

2.6.2 Intensive grazing

One Livestock Unit (1 L.S.U), 1 Mature Animal requires 5-6 hectares, i.e. for a herd of 50
cows 250-300 hectares are required.

Additional land is required for fodder production (e.g. Lucerne) under irrigation of
about 5.0 ha.
This production system requires an additional 70 m3/ha/day of water for irrigation,
which results in a further 350m3/day irrigation water during the fodder-growing
season.

2.6.3 Highly intensive or zero-grazing method

One Livestock Unit (1 L.S.U), 1 Mature Animal requires 10 m2, i.e. for a herd of 50 cows
500 m2 is required.

Milking sheds, feed-stalls and calving pens require 40m x 40m (an office is
included in this space).
Land required for dry matter production (Lucerne) under irrigation is 5.0 ha.
This production system requires an additional 70 m3/ha/day of water for irrigation, which
results in a further 350m3/day irrigation water during the fodder-growing season.
Additionally, to prevent spread of diseases, a dairy project should be located 500m away
from piggeries and poultry broilers, and should be located 1km from a poultry egg
production farm.
2.6.4 Handling Facilities/Residential
In addition to the grazing land required for the cows, there should always be an area that is
equivalent to one hectare (1.0 ha), which can be used for developmental infrastructure such
as kraals, dipping facilities and residential housing for farm workers.
2.7
Ostrich Production
Ostriches can be raised anywhere, in the open veldt, except in poorly-drained soils, e.g.
muddy and marshy soils, which are not recommended. Rocky areas are also not
recommended as ostriches are can break their legs in the cracks and crevices between the
rocks.

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An ostrich project must be at least 1km from chicken projects and 1km from
residential houses.

Different types of ostrich projects require various land sizes:

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

a hatchery project with incubators only requires a minimum of 30m x 30m.

an egg production project needs 100m x 100m for 25 to 30 birds
a 3-month- old chicks to a slaughter age, project requires 40m x 70m for 70 birds
a feedlot requires 40m x 70m for about 100 birds
one-day-old chicks to 3 months old: 100 birds require an average space of 100m x
100m for growing houses. Another 100m x 100m is required for runway during
the day. The runway can also be used for lucerne production.

2.8
Apiculture (Bee Keeping)
Apiculture is the act of bee keeping. Practising of apiculture in Botswana will not only
provide the communities with bee products (e.g. Honey, beeswax), but will also encourage
the presence of other fields which integrate with apiculture. Beekeeping will encourage
planting of bee pasture plants around apiaries. This will leads to afforestation of deforested
areas, fodder production, provision of shelter, wind breakers and pollination services, soil
structure improvement, etc. The fact that some areas in this country are experiencing bush
encroachment, makes apiculture a suitable enterprise. The enterprise has the following land
use requirements:

An apiary must be located in an area with bee pasture. Shrubs and trees such as
Acacia erubescens moloto, Combretum imberbe - motswere, Ziziphus mucronata mokgalo, etc., should be within a radius of 1 km from an apiary.

The area must be free from floods.

A minimum plot size of 60m x 60m is required for an apiary. It should be noted that
the scale of the project influenced the plot size.

An apiary must not be located near a chemical production plant nor a welding plant.

Apiaries must be located far away from sewage ponds.

Commercial apiaries should be situated 1 km away from residential areas and from
industrial sides sites, and at least 100m from major roads because noise from these
areas can disturb bees.

Parks and WMAs are suitable locations for apiaries, as long as permission is granted
from the appropriate authorities.

A backyard apiary is usually located on a residential plot. If the number of hives is

less five there is no need to apply for change of land use.

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2.9
Aquaculture (Fish Culture/Production)
Aquaculture is the growing of aquatic organisms under controlled condition. These aquatic
organisms can either be plants or animals (including fish). Fish culture can be practiced in a
land that is not suitable for other forms of agriculture e.g. marshy or swampy areas. Fish
have a high Food Conversion Ratio (FCR). A single hectare of land can easily produce 0.5
-7.0 tons of fish. Crop or livestock production rarely reach these yield levels. The land use
requirement of fish culture is as follows:

land parcel with a gentle slope (to fill and drain ponds by gravity)

adequate water with good quality

soils with adequate water holding capacity

near to the farm owner, close to social services (roads, electricity, etc) and in
proximity of sources of inputs.

A family fish -pond requires 40m x 40m of land. Family ponds are usually 200 m2
in area.

A semi intensive fish farm requires at least 5.0 hectares of pond area. For semicommercial ventures ponds need not be larger than 500 to 1,000 m2. It is advisable
to construct a number of smaller ponds than a few large ones. Thus, a larger area is
required to accommodate other structures such as feed stores and market buildings.

Water requirement; 20,000 m3 of water per hectare per year is required to meet all
evaporation and seepage losses, in order to raise a crop of fish. The water must have
the following qualities:
Table 2 Water quality requirements for fish ponds or fish cages
pH
Alkalinity
Salinity
Dissolved Oxygen (varies with temperature)
Plankton turbidity (secchi disk reading)

2.10

6.5 - 9
>20 mg/L
average 2,000 mg/L
>5 mg/L
30 - 45 cm.

As in livestock farming, stocking density is a function of management. Stocking

densities of up to 100 fish per m2 are possible in raceway systems. In semi intensive
ponds systems 2 fish per m2 is the usual recommended density.
Forestry

2.10.1 Woodlots
Wood lots are long-term projects. Trees take 10 to 20 years to reach maturity stage. In a
situation where local utilization of the forest products is practiced the benefit is in kind.
Wood lot establishment is also environmentally friend as trees play many roles in the entire
ecosystem of a given area.

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The size of the village woodlot should depend on the population projections and the future
needs of wood.
2.10.2 Nurseries no information given
2.10.3 Backyard nurseries no information given
2.11

Horticulture (for FAP Projects only).

2.11.1 Vegetable Production

The applicant must have experience in the production of vegetables, indicating

managerial and technical competence.

The applicant may apply for financial assistance to start a new project or expand an
existing project. The enterprise must cultivate a minimum of one-quarter of a
hectare (1/4 ha), (a proof of which must be provided e.g. a copy of Land Board
certificate) and a maximum of 300 ha. A vegetable production project can be
located at any type soil except for very shallow soils. The soil depth must be 2530cm deep and more.

The enterprise must have an established and reliable water source with sufficient
yield to irrigate the proposed area. FAP will help equip a proven water source (a
copy of a water right certificate to be provided) and not to find a new water source
(such as drilling a borehole). Untreated sewage water is not recommended for
irrigation. All irrigation water must be drinkable.

The enterprise must be located near a well-defined market. The market must be
large enough so that the enterprise can be reasonably expected to sell its produce.
Projects with a land area of 10 hectares or more must be located within a radius of
100 km of a market, for them to be viable. For those projects with less than 10 ha.
of land, the market must be very close, otherwise the project will be a loss in terms
of profit. A viable project is the one where most buyers can buy on farm gate.

2.12

Citrus Production

The applicant must have experience in the production of fruits, indicating

managerial and technical competence.

The applicant may apply for financial assistant to start a new orchard or expand an
existing one. The enterprise must cultivate a minimum of one hectare (1.0 ha), (a
proof of which must be provided e.g. a copy of Land Board certificate). The soils
must be at least 1.0m deep.

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Appendix 2

The enterprise must have an established and reliable water source with sufficient
yield to irrigate the proposed area. FAP will help equip a proven water source (a
copy of a water right certificate to be provided) and not to find a new water source
(such as drilling a borehole). Water must have a drinkable quality.

The enterprise must be located near a well-defined market. The market must be
large enough so that the enterprise can be reasonably expected to sell its produce.
The applicant must be prepared to produce certified fruit tree seedlings for planting.

NB: For non- FAP funded projects Land Board can allocate any piece of land applied for
regardless of the size.
2.13

Water Development

2.13.1 Wells

In order for a well to be rehabilitated, Land Board must allocate it first i.e. the owner
(a group or an individual) must have a valid Land

The owner must pay the contribution (for a group15% of the cost in cash or in kind
by providing labour at the time of construction and installation of the pump, 40% in
case of an individuals with 1-100 LSU, and 60% for those with more than 100
LSU).

2.13.2 Dams

The size of the dam site is influenced by the topography of the area and the amount
of water that can be available in that particular area. It is therefore, not easy to
quantify the required space for a dam before a suitable site is identified.

Dam Construction Units operate large machines, and only dams with storage
capacity larger than 20,000 m would ensure a cost effective operation. All dams
applied for must exceed this storage capacity to qualify.

All dams constructed for use by groups, will be large enough to water 400 LSU for
a whole year. Multi-purpose dams will exceed this storage capacity to cater for
livestock watering and other uses.

Ministry of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana

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Agricultural Guidelines

Land Requirement

Appendix 2

3
CONCLUSIONS
When allocating land for any purpose, it is recommended that Land Boards should follow
the broad zoning as outlined in the agricultural land use plans. With reference to specific
enterprise, this document should be used as it provides requirements for project siting,
minimum plot sizes, land use requirements, water needs, environmental impact and
conformity for a variety of agricultural enterprises.
All the spaces between the projects can be used for enterprises that are conformal to the
existing ones. For example the space between two poultry or piggery projects can be used
horticulture, fodder production, woodlots, grazing of beef cattle, rain fed arable production
and tree nurseries. In this way, land areas can be fully utilized for a combination of
different agricultural enterprises.
4

REFERENCES

Bekker, R. P. and Boom M. (November 1995). Guidelines for Land Allocation along
the River Banks in the Maun Area. FAO/UNDP/Government of Botswana project
BOT/91/001, Field Document 1. Gaborone.
Department of Environment (August, 1995). A Hand Book of Environmental Impact
Assessment Guidelines. Kuala Lumpur.
FAO, (1993). The FAO guidelines for Land-Use Planning.
FAO/United Nations Environment Programme (1999). The future of our LandFacing the Challenge, Guidelines for Integrated Planning for Sustainable Management
of Land Resources. Rome.
International Land Society, (1999). The Land, Vol.3.1, Natural Resources Institute,
United Kingdom.
Paris S, et al, (April 1995). Proposed Land Use Plan for Ratholo Agricultural
Extension Area- Central Region. FAO/UNDP/Government of Botswana project
BOT/91/001, Field Document 3. Gaborone.

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