15 Nov 2021

Botswana Investment and Trade Centre Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kelotsositse Olebile says benchmarking and adoption of new techniques could assist Botswana dairy production to grow.

In an interview during the tour of Ferme De La Tremblay smart farm, by the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Mr Olebile said Botswana diary production was very low, at eight percent, and the intention was to grow it by benchmarking from the best.

He said the farm was sophisticated, yet simple, due to the level of investment and equipment used, something which Botswana could emulate, where possible.

Mr Olebile said they would keep in contact with Ferme De La Tremblay smart farm, for the benefit of dairy farmers in Botswana. For his part, the SmartBots Coordinator, also ICT adviser to the President, Professor Vasilis Koulolies said Botswana had signed a letter of intent to cooperate with France in the area of agricultural development.

He said working together was a symbol of political commitment between the two countries as well as to pave way for concrete partnerships and agreements of mutual interest and benefit in various agricultural sub-sectors.

Professor Koulolies added that SmartBots had smart farming as its main work stream through Lobu farm, which they intended to digitalise for the growth of smart farming of small stock.

Botswana’s Ambassador to France, Mr Mustaq Moorad appreciated the President's visit, saying it gave the two countries an opportunity to cement relations.

He said France was an agriculture country, from which Botswana could gain a lot. 

Mr Moorad said though new, the Botswana mission in France planned to utilise all available opportunities, for the benefit of the economy. ENDS