15 May 2017

Once Botswana’s economic backbone, agriculture has slipped down since the discovery of minerals and is currently trailing behind minerals and tourism.
To rejuvenate the sector, the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia said in an interview that Botswana has a University of Agriculture and Natural Resources which was ready to enroll those who want to participate in the development of agriculture.

In addition, Mr Ralotsia  said his ministry would embark on a public education campaign in secondary schools to sensitive those who would be going to tertiary institutions to consider studying agriculture.
“People have for a long time taken agriculture to be for the lower class, but agriculture is a science in its own right. We want some of the best brains in the country to study the science of agriculture.You cannot have people who are responsible for food production with education that is inferior,” he said

He also said there was a misconception that all those who did not do well at secondary school could venture into agriculture as veterinary officers.
This, he said, was a disturbing trend, adding that “reality was revealing itself that agriculture was sophisticated and for the best brains.” ENDS