01 Feb 2018

Discussions on the proposed framework of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of agriculture between Botswana and Israel are at an advanced stage.

Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia hosted Israel ambassador, Mr Gershon Kedar in Gaborone on January 31, to appreciate progress made on establishing how best Botswana could benefit from Israel’s advanced agricultural technologies.

Mr Ralotsia said the cooperation proposed under the draft MoU were in the areas of crop production, water management for irrigation, agricultural production under drought/desert conditions, capacity building that included training and development of human resources in agriculture, mechanisation and agricultural equipment and productivity, promoting agro-technologies and rural development.

“I am pleased your Excellency that you have none-the-less already given us support under the proposed framework cooperation,” he said.

He said following his visit to Israel in 2016, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) and Israel signed  MoU that resulted in training of 35 students in Israel to expose them to advanced agricultural technologies found in Israel which he said had similar desert conditions as Botswana.

“Today I am anticipating to learn from you about their progress and I hope this support will continue after the return of the first batch of students so that we can build capacity to transform agriculture in this country,” he said.

For his part, Ambassador Kedar said he came to hear about the progress made on the draft proposed framework of Memorandum of Understanding that was awaiting final legal documentation before signing could take place.

He also said beginning of March, two experts on water desalination would visit various desalination plants in the country to give advice on how to optimise performance of plants on areas with saline water.

Mr Kedar further briefed the minister about the 35 Batswana students sent by BUAN to Israel and said they were part of the top students of the 3000 international students sent to the agriculture institution in Israel.  

He also said his country was ready to discuss other possible areas that were not within the draft MoU. “We are ready to share and export whatever expertise we have with other countries. We want to share our knowledge and experiences,” he added. ENDS