Africa-Press – Botswana. The National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with African Agriculture (AA) to set up a framework for the two parties to collaborate in agricultural research and development initiatives.
Answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday on behalf of the Minister of Lands and Agriculture, the Minister of Communications and Innovation Mr David Tshere said these included adaptation of new technologies, adoption of appropriate machinery as well as servicing and repairing of equipment for the mechanisation of agricultural operations.
The minister said he was aware that AA, a 100 per cent citizen owned company, was awarded a tender by NARDI in 2023 for the supply and delivery of tractors and farm implements to NARDI.
Mr Tshere explained that as a citizen company, AA qualified to participate in tenders issued by government and state-owned enterprises supported by government.
The tender was awarded to AA at P7 130 145 and this followed an issuance of an open domestic bid through which seven companies, including AA, responded.
He said AA was selected for the award as it offered a compliant and the most economically advantageous tender.
The minister said AA supplied equipment as per the NARDI specifications. However, he said NARDI had experienced breakages and malfunctions of some of the equipment.
He added AA had been alerted about these and they were dealing with the issues as the equipment was still under warranty.
Mr Tshere said AA was also re-training the users of the equipment to ensure that it was properly maintained and operated.
He was responding to a question from the MP for Tswapong South, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang who had asked the Minister of Lands and Agriculture to brief Parliament on the relationship between NARDI and AA.
He asked the minister to state if he was aware that AA was given a tender to supply agriculture and scientific equipment to NARDI.
The MP also wanted to know if this was an open or competitive bidding tender and if he was happy with the quality of equipment supplied.
Dr Gobotswang also wanted to know the circumstances under which, AA was offered land for rice trials and the government warehouse worth P100 000 monthly rental offered at a paltry P10 000.
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