MOU Readies Botswana For Being Export-LED

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) signed recently between Botswana and Texas A&M AgriLife Research University is one of the initiatives intended to ready the country for becoming an export-led economy.

This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi following the MoU’s signing in Houston, Texas on Friday.

He said the MoU was especially significant with the coming of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement that was expected to catalyse Africa’s value chains.

“We are positioning ourselves to benefit from the market that will attract trillions,” said Dr Masisi.

He explained that the MoU sought to establish collaborative initiatives for improving Botswana’s agricultural sector with specific focus on cattle and meat production for export purposes.

The President therefore encouraged Batswana to be receptive to new reproductive technologies, especially the artificial and embryo insemination type, in order to increase the livestock herd and make Botswana a flourishing cattle production hub.

He said the MoU would also accord researchers, stakeholders, Texas A&M AgriLife and Botswana an opportunity to start discussions on prospective areas of focus.

Batswana should use technology to improve their smallstock and cattle in terms of quantity and quality, said Dr Masisi.

“Botswana is in a hurry to feed herself and the rest of Africa and this can only be possible if farmers embrace change,” he stated.

The President informed his audience that agriculture had been identified as one of the sectors with the potential to grow Botswana’s economy into a high income one as well as job creation.

Hailing the collaboration with Texas A&M University, he pointed out that the institution was a renowned international leader in agriculture improvement, specifically cattle.

“This facility is the best in the world and their operations are best examples of a well-functioning production system across the supply chain,” said President Masisi.

Botswana, he said, would benefit from emulating the institution as well as collaboration on methods, technologies and practices.

Commenting, Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao said the MoU would boost Botswana in areas it had been lacking especially with regard to national cattle herd quantities.

Through the MoU, the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination Centre would be capacitated, he said.

The minister said the MoU would also support local institutions to establish collaborative initiatives for improving agricultural sub-sectors.

Mr Molao said additionaly, the MoU was handy because the institution specialised in advanced facilities for cattle research extension and education initiatives.

Adding his voice to the discussion, Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe said research was the key to success.

He said government was committed to ingenuity of research that was results-orientated.

Dr Letsholathebe urged research institutions to take advantage of the agreements made.

The institution’s director, Dr Clifford Lamb expressed the hope that the collaboration would yield positive results.

He said student-exchange programmes for skills sharing were planned.

Texas A&M University System chancellor, Prof. John Sharp said the collaboration signified the beginning of improved agricultural sector in Botswana and resiliency in cattle production through research and development.

“We are honoured to host President Masisi in college station, and we look forward to a future of impactful work together,” he said.

Following the signing ceremony, the Botswana delegation, which included institutions of higher learning heads, went on a tour that aided discussions on select cattle research and emerging reproduction technologies.

The tour covered Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56 Equine Complex and advanced phenotyping facilities. ends