08 Apr 2025

In a move to enhance the country’s agricultural framework, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) signed a Letter of Intent with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday in Gaborone.

The collaboration marks a crucial step forward for both institutions, as it seeks to address the evolving challenges within the agricultural sector. During the signing ceremony, BUAN Vice Chancellor Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele described the collaboration as a pivotal moment in the university’s evolution.

He said the partnership would accelerate its transformation from a college to a fully-fledged university. In this context, Prof Mosepele said the alliance would connect BUAN to FAO’s extensive global network, vital for the institution’s mission to innovate and intensify research in agriculture and natural resources.

“At BUAN, we are committed to aligning our efforts with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” he said, further underscoring the university’s dedication to achieving food security and sustainability in Botswana.

The Letter of Intent aims to establish a cooperative framework that will enhance the development of skilled manpower, foster innovation and integrate technological solutions into the country’s agricultural sector. As a result, this partnership, Prof Mosepele said would not only address current challenges but also pave way for resilient agrifood systems.

As Botswana strides towards a knowledge-based economy, he said BUAN aimed to leverage the expertise of FAO to initiate impactful research, thus facilitating socio-economic growth.

Ms Carla Mucavi, FAO Representative in Botswana, stressed the importance of the Letter of Intent in fostering collaboration aimed at transforming the country’s agro-food systems. She said both parties were mutually committed to sustainably managing and utilising natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations.

Furthermore, she said the initiative was particularly timely, as global challenges arising from climate change, conflict and economic downturn threaten food security. This concern, she said was echoed in the 2024 Report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition.

She said FAO’s Strategic Framework for 2022-2031 sought to tackle such issues by promoting ‘Four Betters’: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.

In addition, Ms Mucavi stressed the importance of partnerships, asserting that achieving zero hunger necessitated robust alliances with stakeholders across various sectors, adding that the synergy from collaborative efforts was encapsulated in the expression ‘one plus one equals three,’ representing the potential for greater outcomes through unity.

To achieve these goals, FAO’s partnership framework outlines key priorities for Botswana, including the development of inclusive agricultural policies, strengthening sustainable value chains, improving food safety and enhancing disaster risk management.

Ms Mucavi pointed out that current projects, such as the Green-Cities initiative and school-feeding programme, illustrated the potential for meaningful collaboration between FAO and local institutions, including BUAN.

She reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to effective partnerships, stressing that leveraging human capital and technological solutions was vital for sustainable development in Botswana’s agricultural and natural resources sectors. ENDS