Africa-Press – Botswana. The agriculture sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is still low, at about two per cent.Therefore, there is need to drive productivity in the sector to bring it at par with countries of a similar GDP as Botswana.
Speaking at the sixth graduation ceremony of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) on Friday, the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Botswana, Mr Mpho Masupe, said that the nation was looking up to graduates like those of BUAN to be change agents in ensuring that the contribution of the sector to the GDP increases.
“In 2021 agriculture contributed 9.5 per cent to the GDP of Namibia, and 8.85 to that of Zimbabwe while in Botswana in only contributed about 2 per cent,” he said.
“So we look to you to be a change to this narrative.” Mr Masupe said he welcomed some recent government decision such as the current vegetable restriction, which he said led to a reduction in the nations import bill by around 23 per cent as well as renewed interest in farming by the youth.
He implored the graduates to be problem solvers, especially that the agriculture value chain had profitable multiplying factor in the economy.
Mr Masupe also said his organisation was alive to the fact that agriculture had the potential to shape the landscape of the country’s economy, hence their relationship with BUAN.
“As a bank we are therefore willing to assist BUAN sustain their mission of producing innovative graduates and technological solutions for sustainable development in agriculture and natural resources sector,” he said.
Mr Masupe implored the graduates to come up with solutions to the challenges that the local agriculture and natural resources sector faced and harness technology to ensure food security for Botswana. “Your skills are highly sought after, and it is a good thing that such skills are backed by the government through initiatives such as the newly launched Temo Letlotlo,” he said.
“Our government has always been deliberate in supporting agriculture as evidenced by our transition through various initiatives such as ALDEP and ISPAAD.”
For his part, BUAN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, said that the institution had the potential to help the country in achieving green economy and food security.
He implored the graduates to play their part in economic diversification and food security of the nation.
He said as an institution, they were proud and confident that their training had equipped the graduates with leadership and entrepreneurial skills, and therefore urged them to stay focused and resolute.
He hailed this year’s graduation for being a first in many things, among that being the first to be sponsored by the private sector as well as the first time to produce a high number of both masters and doctorate graduates.
The university graduated three Doctor of Philosophy students, eight Master of Science students as well as a number of degree and diploma graduates.
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