11 Feb 2019

Botswana has received a positive rating from the African Union’s Africa Agriculture Transformation Scorecard (AATS).

According to last year’s scorecard, the country was on track in terms of  commitment to inclusive and evidence-based policy systems, agricultural research spending, domestic food price volatility index and youth engagement in new job opportunities in agriculture.

This emerged Sunday during the AATS held on the sidelines of the just-ended AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia attended by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

On percentage increase in area under irrigation, percentage of agriculture value added, reduction in the gap between the wholesale price and farm gate price and the percentage of rural women empowered in agriculture, the country was said to have progressed albeit with more effort required.

The  review report, issued on biennial basis, rated Botswana’s overall progress for implementation of the declaration for agriculture transformation in Africa to be on track.

However, on the percentage of public agriculture expenditure as a share of total public expenditure, the growth of the value of agricultural trade, the percentage of men and women in agriculture with access to financial services and the prevalence of stunted children under five years, the country was rated as not on track.

Meanwhile President Masisi has appealed to the AU to elevate AATS from a side event to the main agenda of the summit.

Speaking during the heads of state presentations at the high level side event, Dr Masisi said there was need to enhance its significance.

Food security, he said, should be measured against sanitation, mortality, nutrition and climate change as food generated without regard to the environment could put lives at risk. 

He said Botswana spent a lot on agriculture and the AATS would not only help the country take stock of itself but also help it to look at the entire continent.

President Masisi commended AATS for its diligent work in accelerating agricultural transformation on the continent.

AATS is a revolutionary new tool to drive agricultural productivity and development in Africa. It was launched during the 30th AU summit in January last year. ENDS