News Date : 07 April, 2025
Marking a Historic New Chapter for BUAN and FAO
Today, the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations marked a truly historic moment with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI), solidifying their commitment to sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. This crucial collaboration arrives as the world confronts unprecedented challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and economic downturns. The LOI embodies a shared vision to transform agro-food systems for the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, ensuring a better future for present and generations to come. Prof. Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, BUAN’s Vice Chancellor, emphasized that this partnership will be instrumental in the university’s ambitious transformation into a leading hub for research, innovation, and sustainability. This strategic alignment promises to accelerate Botswana’s socio-economic growth by effectively leveraging its agricultural and natural resource potential.
Ms. Carla Mucavi, FAO’s Representative in Botswana, underscored that partnerships are central to FAO’s global mission to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. She reinforced that FAO’s 2022-2031 Strategic Framework, with its focus on better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, deeply resonates with BUAN’s own mission. The LOI establishes a strong foundation for future collaborations in vital areas such as urban greening initiatives in Gaborone, enhancing the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, and advancing fodder production strategies to bolster national food security. These represent just a glimpse of the impactful projects where BUAN and FAO will unite their expertise to drive meaningful change.
This marks the beginning of a promising journey. Moving forward, our partnership will empower capacity building, foster technological innovations, and promote inclusive development within the agriculture and natural resources sectors. Together, we are planting the seeds for a resilient and sustainable future, not only for Botswana but also for the wider world.