The contribution of women in maize and sorghum crop production in Botswana: A case of ngwaketse central sub-district in the southern district region

The main focus of the research study was to highlight the contribution of women in the production of staple food crops in the Southern district of Botswana. The major objectives of the study were to establish the number of women and the level of their participation in maize and sorghum production in the country. Parameters of importance included the gender and ages of family members, the size of land in hectares which was planted to maize and sorghum, total physical product (yield) obtained from the two staple food crops and the actual time women spent in various farming activities during the farming season. Out of approximately 16667 subsistence farmers only 0.6 percent of the farming population was sampled for the study. The questionnaire, interviews, and observations were used in data collection. Descriptive data analysis method has been adopted in data analysis, by the use of graphs, pie charts, and tables. An average crop yield of 0.87 and 0.14 tons per hectare of sorghum and maize respectively were recorded, compared to normal district averages of 1.3 to 3.6 and 2.65 tons per hectare for sorghum and maize respectively. This showed that there is great need for an integrated approach in extension and service delivery, if output is expected to increase in the district.