A growing wave of discontent is sweeping through Botswana’s agricultural sector as recent graduates, facing crippling unemployment, are demanding government intervention. The Botswana Agricultural Sciences Professionals Association (BASPA) has joined the chorus, advocating for the regulation of the agricultural profession to address the escalating crisis.
Frustration has boiled over in recent weeks, with agriculture graduates staging peaceful protests, accusing the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) of providing an irrelevant education that fails to prepare them for the job market. BASPA President Mbiganyi Taka, in an interview, echoed these concerns, stating that the unregulated nature of the agricultural profession is a significant contributor to the problem.
“The unemployment status of agricultural professionals is saddening, and we are equally concerned,” Taka said. “We have, in our seven years of existence, worked tirelessly with different stakeholders to find solutions to this national problem.” He emphasized the association’s ongoing efforts to engage with the relevant ministry to establish a regulatory authority, believing this to be a crucial step in resolving the crisis.
BASPA has also forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BUAN, aimed at addressing the employability of agricultural graduates and ensuring the relevance of the curriculum. The MOU also focuses on removing obstacles to agricultural entrepreneurship among graduates.
“While we appreciate the gravity of this issue, we strongly believe rigorous stakeholder engagements together with BUAN in addressing employability of graduates would go a long way in helping the challenged Alumni, the current students and indeed the upcoming generations who wants to pursue Agriculture as a career,” Taka stated.
To further address the crisis, BASPA is proposing an “Agricultural Graduates Pitso,” a national gathering bringing together BUAN, graduates, and other stakeholders. This forum would facilitate open dialogue and the development of a comprehensive action plan, with clear commitments from all parties involved.
The plight of these graduates highlights a critical disconnect between education and employment in Botswana’s agricultural sector. As the nation seeks to diversify its economy and enhance food security, addressing this issue is paramount. The call for professional regulation and improved collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders underscores the urgency of finding sustainable solutions.
