Ntshe, or sweet reed

Ntšhê or sweet reed. One of my favourites. Ntšhê is similar to sugar cane, but better.😎

While the main staple food crops grown in Botswana are sorghum and maize, some farmers prefer ntšhê since it requires less water in the semi-arid environment.

Despite the agricultural sector contributing only about 3 percent to GDP, subsistence agriculture (such as the growing of ntshe) plays a dominant role in Botswana providing food, income, employment and economic opportunities for the majority of the rural population.

I must admit that I have fond memories of enjoying nche as a boy growing up in the village of Kanye. Being away from home for a long time, and consequently not seeing familiar social practices such as a group of people gathered around a van to buy nche during summer made me love nche even more than ever! There’s also something especially relaxing about stripping —with your mouth—off the nche greenish bark. Actually, I now appreciate this process more than the actual nche flesh that is chewed for its juices before spiting it.

#Ntšhê

#Letlhafula

#Harvesttime