Amid the on-going human-wildlife conflict in Chobe which even negatively affect crop production, government has moved swiftly and proposed to sponsor the construction of cluster fences for smallholder farmers in Pandamatenga to curb wildlife damage to crops. Officially opening the Chobe agricultural show recently, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Fidelis Molao said the proposal has already been approved by the Okavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA). Molao admitted that wildlife especially elephants hampers crop production in Chobe. “As we probably know, Botswana has the largest elephant population in Africa resulting in increased levels of human-elephant conflict which sometimes leads to the destruction of crops and at times human fatalities. Moreover, predators appear to have increased as they kill livestock in large numbers,” Molao told the gathering. He encouraged farmers never to lose hope in crop production despite the adversities bedevilling them adding that government will always offer support where possible for them to realize their dreams. Furthermore, Molao indicated that despite the late rains farmers in Pandamatenga have planted short day crops such as cow peas, mug beans and chick peas, hoping to utilize the available moisture. “I must commend you as Pandamatenga farmers for exporting mung beans…