Technology has taken the world by storm, with the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) discouraging physical interactions, the wave has gained even more momentum. As most services migrate online, agriculture is not remaining behind.
In his address today during the signing of the Letter of Intent on agriculture between Botswana and France, the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Honourable Karabo Gare stressed;
“We learnt from the COVID crisis that countries that were digitally connected, and those that accelerated their digital transformation efforts faired better overall. It, therefore, dictates that we as Botswana also accelerate our digital transformation agenda, connect our country through digital infrastructures and ensure that all systems and services are digitized to improve the customer experience and ensure resilience on any other disruptions that may arise in the future.”
According to Gare, Botswana aspires to transform from being a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy and high-income country by 2036. This, he says, will take concerted efforts to improve delivery on the development aspirations the government have placed before itself and promised to deliver to Batswana.
With a partnership with France Botswana hopes to drive the transformation of the agricultural sector and ensure achievement of long-standing ambitions such as consolidation of food security. Moreover, Botswana hopes to leverage on France’s academic and research strength to address challenges Botswana face in agriculture such as climate change, building agri-business, and food systems.
“Our desire is that with this Letter of Intent, we open the doors for more specific and concrete partnership agreements that would help us to better leverage the French agricultural βknow-howβ to drive efficiencies, productivity and compete within our region, Africa and yes, the world. We are happy that the French are keen on operationalising this LOI that we will be signing today to ensure that tangible benefits and gains are realized in the immediate term. To this end, we have now initiated discussions around an Action Plan to operationalise the LOI on the basis of the areas of cooperation so far agreed.” Gare proclaimed.
