News Date : 18 June, 2025
BUAN Plants Seeds of Strategic Partnership in North West District- Maun
The Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) is cultivating more than crops—it's cultivating partnerships. During a recent Full Council address in Maun, the Vice Chancellor of BUAN, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, laid out an ambitious and collaborative vision for the university’s engagement with the North West District.
Although BUAN officially attained university status only six years ago, it stands on a legacy of over 50 years of agricultural excellence. Today, it is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovation, sustainability, and socio-economic transformation, not just for Gaborone, but for the entire nation. “We are here in Maun because we believe in building with communities, not for them,” the Vice Chancellor emphasized, underscoring BUAN’s philosophy of inclusive development.
The university's growing footprint in the North West District is already evident. Ongoing research initiatives in the region include the use of traditional medicine in animal health, the study of wild edible and medicinal plants, and the groundbreaking EcoRanger Project, which equips local cattle farmers with tools to access premium markets. These projects reflect BUAN’s commitment to practical, research-driven interventions that enhance livelihoods, promote climate resilience, and unlock value from Botswana’s rich biodiversity.
BUAN’s strategic roadmap includes the establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine, backed by international partners from Japan, the United States, and regional institutions. Plans are also underway for a satellite campus in Maun, contingent on land allocation, further cementing the university’s commitment to decentralised growth and access to education.
Through its commercial arm BUAN Enterprises, the university is pioneering income-generating ventures such as model farms and hands-on training platforms in agriculture, ecotourism, and entrepreneurship. One flagship initiative, the INCUHIVE startup incubator, is already transforming graduates into business leaders, providing a blueprint for job creation and innovation.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor proposed a strategic partnership with the North West District Council focused on high-impact areas: climate resilience, floodplain farming, livestock management, sustainable tourism, and agro-tourism. Recognizing shared challenges in financial sustainability, BUAN also offered complimentary technical expertise to help the Council design and implement a revenue-generating investment vehicle—an initiative poised to translate knowledge into tangible community benefits.
As BUAN continues to plant seeds of progress in Botswana’s regions, its vision remains clear: to co-create solutions that are sustainable, inclusive, and locally empowering.