In a compelling address at the recent Ghanzi District Council meeting, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, the Vice Chancellor of Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), shared the institution’s vision and commitment to fostering a more prosperous and sustainable future for Botswana. His speech emphasized BUAN's strategic goals of agricultural innovation, youth empowerment, and community collaboration to address key challenges like food security and youth unemployment in Ghanzi District. “BUAN’s core mandate is teaching and research in agriculture and natural resources, with a vision to become an innovative and research-intensive institution. We aim to make Botswana food and nutrition secure and to empower Batswana through sustainable socio-economic growth,” Professor Mosepele stated, highlighting the importance of agriculture as a cornerstone of national development.
The Vice Chancellor stressed BUAN's commitment to addressing issues such as high youth unemployment and underutilized productive land. He called for collective action in tackling these challenges, asserting that a collaborative effort between BUAN and the Ghanzi District Council could lead to tangible solutions for a brighter future.“We are here not only to talk about BUAN but to explore how, together, we can co-create a sustainable and prosperous future for the people of Ghanzi District,” said Mosepele, emphasizing that BUAN’s resources and expertise in agriculture could significantly benefit the district. He also mentioned the importance of aligning with Botswana's Vision 2036, which aims to create a thriving, inclusive economy.
Professor Mosepele detailed BUAN's growth since its transformation in 2019, from the Botswana College of Agriculture into a dynamic university offering a wide range of programs in agriculture, natural resources, animal sciences, and agri-business. He also touched on BUAN's research efforts, including the establishment of two research centers focused on bioeconomy and sustainable resources, as well as various entrepreneurial initiatives that aim to drive local economic development.
One key project discussed was BUAN’s ongoing Rangeland Improvement through Bush Control and Sustainable Intensification (RIBS) project, which seeks to rehabilitate bush-encroached rangelands, vital for the district's beef production. BUAN is also looking to develop a satellite campus in Ghanzi to deliver vocational training programs focused on livestock production, game ranching, and agro-tourism.
Addressing the challenges of youth employment, Professor Mosepele spoke about BUAN’s initiatives such as the INCU-HIVE, an entrepreneurship program that has successfully transformed graduates into entrepreneurs. Additionally, he shared plans for the SECHABA program, which aims to support out-of-school youth in developing start-ups in the agriculture and natural resources sectors.
In an exciting development, BUAN is working towards the establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine, a partnership with international institutions, which could provide significant benefits to the beef farming community in Ghanzi.“We have the highest concentration of livestock experts in Botswana, and with partnerships like the one we have with Texas A&M University, we are positioned to make a significant impact on the local livestock sector,” Mosepele noted.
Professor Mosepele also mentioned BUAN’s introduction of climate-resilient crops like safflower, which has shown great potential in other parts of Botswana. He encouraged the Ghanzi District to explore the possibilities of trialing these crops, suggesting they could be a game-changer for local farmers.
In closing, he reaffirmed BUAN’s dedication to working closely with the Ghanzi District Council to foster long-term growth. “Together, we can enhance the agricultural value chain, promote food security, and ensure that the people of this district prosper while utilizing their natural resources sustainably,” he said.
The meeting concluded with a call for partnership between BUAN and the Ghanzi District Council, aiming to create a resilient and sustainable future for the people of Ghanzi. The collaboration promises to leverage BUAN’s expertise and resources, offering an optimistic path forward for the district’s agricultural and socio-economic development.
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