18 Jun 2023

The National Development Bank (NDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting green sustainable farming technology through the launch of the green energy transition for sustainable agriculture fund. 

The scheme is meant to encourage adaptation of green and smart farming technologies by providing subsidy grants of 65 per cent for projects that are in line with the fund’s objectives. 

Unveiling of the fund on Thursday, NDB Chief Executive Officer, Ms Ogone Madisa said the subsidy would be made available for investments ranging from P50 000 to P400 000. 

She said among the requirements were proof of project viability and availability of funds to cover the 35 per cent own contribution. 

Ms Madisa said the fund, a partnership between NDB and the government of Germany, was established to drive efficient energy and water use in the agriculture sector. 

She expressed hope that the partnership would help address climate change in line with Botswana government’s green energy transition plan. 

“NDB recognises the importance that smart farming plays in making the world a better place. Our attitude towards the use of technology both at production and consumer level is what will determine our ability to achieve sustainable green farming on a large scale,” Ms Madisa said. 

She said global warming continued to be the greatest catalyst for climate change, adding that it was imperative for the world to adopt an urgent approach to address the crisis. 

Ms Madisa applauded the government of Germany for entrusting NDB to spearhead smart farming promotion in Botswana. 

The German Ambassador to Botswana, Ms Margit Hellwig-Bötte, emphasised the importance of addressing climate change, and urged NDB to speed up the programme rollout without any red tape that could disadvantage deserving beneficiaries.

“We should work relentlessly to replace fossil fuel-based water pumps with solar-based solutions without delay, and adopt technologies available for a greener and cleaner future,” she said. 

Speaking at the same event, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) Vice Chancellor, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele said the institution was committed to live up to its mandate of producing innovative graduates and technological solutions for sustainable development in agriculture and natural resources sectors. 

Prof. Mosepele cited the university’s agri-voltaic project, saying it positioned BUAN as a research and innovation institution. 

He said BUAN wanted to contribute towards the kind of transformation that would lead to attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“The agri-voltaic project, which produces about one kilowatt of electricity for BUAN campus and sells excess to the national grid, illustrates the crucial role the university plays in tackling problems and challenges encountered in creating and sustaining a prosperous society in the agriculture and natural resources sectors,” he said. Ends