In a significant move aimed at fortifying Botswana’s economic diversification and addressing persistent challenges in youth unemployment and food security, the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) and the Association of Business Consultants of Botswana (ABCB) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 29, 2025.
The agreement, hailed by participants as a crucial alignment of academic training with national development priorities, establishes a robust framework for professionalizing the agricultural sector and preparing a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Bridging the Skills Gap in Agriculture
At the core of the collaboration is the newly minted Agricultural Consultancy Development Programme (ACDP). This strategic initiative, co-founded by the two institutions, is designed to serve as a critical bridge between theoretical education and practical industry demands. Its primary goal is to train and regulate young agricultural consultants, equipping them with the technical, entrepreneurial, and professional skills required to elevate the country’s agricultural output.
Senior leaders from BUAN underscored the necessity of the partnership. Professor S. Ngwako, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Research, and Professor M. Kgosimore, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, both emphasized the importance of translating academic excellence into tangible economic benefits.
Mr. Thabo Leon Jeremiah, President of the ABCB, articulated the broader ambition. “This signing represents a new era for Botswana’s agricultural sector,” Mr. Jeremiah stated, expressing confidence that the partnership would not only create opportunities for graduates but also enhance the quality of agricultural consultancy services, driving sustainable food production across the nation.
Professionalizing Consultancy for Food Security
The ACDP’s mandate extends beyond mere skills development; it seeks to formalize agricultural consultancy as a recognized, regulated, and high-value professional field. By establishing professional standards and offering continuous capacity building, the programme is intended to enhance agricultural productivity, foster innovation, and contribute directly to Botswana’s long-term food security goals.
The initiative reflects a growing consensus among policymakers and industry leaders that investing in agriculture is paramount, particularly as the country’s traditional engine of growth, the diamond industry, faces global uncertainties. Mr. Jeremiah concluded, “Together, we are sowing the seeds of transformation in agriculture, one consultant at a time.”
A Three-Year Push for Collaboration
The realization of this partnership, described by insiders as a “historic milestone,” was the result of a dedicated three-year effort spearheaded by Mr. Bokang F. Basejane, Executive Board Member and Public Relations Chairperson at ABCB.
Mr. Basejane, a former member of the BUAN community, first introduced the motion in 2022, facing initial resistance within the ABCB Board. His persistence, driven by a desire to address the “cries” of BUAN graduates struggling with unemployment and limited sector recognition, was ultimately credited with securing the agreement.
“What began as a bold idea in 2022 has now become a lasting legacy… for every young person who dares to believe that change is possible,” Mr. Basejane remarked, positioning the MoU not merely as an institutional pact but as a national commitment to invest in youth and agriculture as the twin drivers of sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
The agreement is now entering its implementation phase, with both institutions reaffirming their shared commitment to developing a generation of competent, ethical, and innovative agricultural consultants.
