19 Oct 2022

There is no human security without food security, hence concerted efforts by United Nations and even Botswana to address issues of food and nutrition security, says Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao. 

Speaking during the Commemoration of World Food Day 2022 in Tswidi, on Tuesday, Mr Molao said it was important to celebrate the day, given the significant role that food played as a basic need for human sustenance and well-being. 

He said World Food Day 2022 was being celebrated at a time of profound food security challenges across the world due to COVID-19 pandemic, climate change crisis, biodiversity loss as well as armed conflicts. 

However, he said he was encouraged that this year’s event called for action through its theme: ‘Leave no one behind, better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life for all’. 

Mr Molao said even though progress for better nutrition was being made, many people still could not afford a healthy diet, putting them at high risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. 

He implored Batswana not to lose sight of long-term sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 -zero hunger through inclusive and sustainable solutions. 

Mr Molao said the global goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030 could not be achieved without providing support to small scale farmers, as well as intensifying programmes geared toward rural development. 

“In addition to supporting food production through crops and livestock sub sectors, Botswana complements issues of food insecurity through social safety net programmes, whose primary objective is to reduce chronic food hunger, malnutrition and diseases,” he said. 

He said the procedure should be inclusive, especially to the people who drive food processes, such as farmers, herders, food workers and the fishing community. 

“They are at the heart of driving global food production and they deserve to have their voices heard,” Minister Molao said. 

For better production, he said there was need to modernise processes and technologies, noting that farming should not be taken as a traditional way of living. 

“Farmers must be trained to use improved practices, so that they can double their yields,” he added. 

He said investment and expamsion opportunities existed in Botswana’s beef production. “We should step up integration, development and implementation of agricultural value chains,” he said. 

The minister also highlighted the need to strengthen efforts in working to slow down environmental degradation and climate change effects, adding that this could be done through planting instead of cutting them as well as appropriate use of land. 

“The future of sustainable food systems is in our hands, everyone has a critical role in sustainable food production,” he said. 

Meanwhile, minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms Phildah Kereng said agriculture as the mainstay of the global population was solely based on the environment, therefore it was critical that systems were put in place to attain sustainable environment. 

“Let us note that all forms of production occur on the environment, which is the capital to all sectors in the form of land, water and other components,” she said. 

Minister Kereng said in its work toward a sustainable environment, her ministry had developed and coordinated the implementation of protectionist instruments such as environmental policies and legislations. 

She said agricultural production inputs being land and water, must be used efficiently to reduce negative impacts on the environment and ensure resilience to climate change. 

One such approach, she said was ‘ClimateSmart Agriculture’ which had the potential to increase productivity, enhance resilience and lower carbon footprint. 

“This includes practices such as improving the management of livestock, rangelands and enhancing soil carbons,” she said. 

Ms Kereng implored Batswana to take cognisance of the increasing adverse impact of climate change on agriculture and other sectors of the economy as the theme dictated that no one should be left behind. 

For his part, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative, Dr Rene Czudek said the World Food Day was meant to appreciate the good food as well as all heroes who contributed to the production of food. 

Dr Czudek congratulated Botswana government’s efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition, through programmes such as school feeding, poverty eradication, which he said were contributing immensely to the achievement of 2030 agenda, where the country pursues to end hunger. 

He said FAO was committed to assisting Botswana in the fight against hunger, malnutrition and land degradation to ensure food security. 

“We have had several projects and continue developing some more, in which we work closely with government to safeguard food security,” he added.

 He encouraged all to take part as it was not possible to end hunger without collective efforts. 

During the event, FAO handed over Isuzu D-Max 300 D 4X4, five mobile water bowsers (1000 Litres), 24 bow tents and one printer combined with photocopier, all valued at about P1million to ministry of agriculture to assist in the fight against hunger. BOPA