The contribution of the agricultural sectors of our two countries to the gross domestic product (GDP), differ significantly. For instance, in Botswana, the agricultural sector accounts for only 1.6 percent of the GDP, while in Zimbabwe, the sector’s contribution has ranged between 15 and 19 percent.
As such, I found it imperative that I avail myself to be part of this event, so as to facilitate exchange of views and experience in the agricultural space, for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples.
I have no doubt that we can leverage on each other’s strengths in areas that we enjoy a comparative and competitive advantage in the agriculture space, with a view to further deepening collaborative efforts in this area.
One such dominant niche area is the production of a number of livestock vaccines, which my country is already undertaking for a number of vaccines and supplying Zimbabwe and, indeed, the region and beyond.
In this regard, our two countries can leverage on each other’s strengths for the production of high quality vaccines for FMD, goat plague and the lung disease in Botswana, as well as Zimbabwe’s prowess in the production of thermostable Newcastle vaccine and other quality veterinary medicinal products.
It is also commendable that Zimbabwe also produces high quality veterinary surgeons and specialists, some of whom we have the rare privilege of having in our national institutions, such as the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Department and the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA). We continue to have a strong vote of confidence in the services that we receive from the experts who have been trained in your country.
