23 Jun 2024

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) and Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) is expected to enhance relationship and set up a framework of cooperation between the two entities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Wednesday, BAMB acting chief executive officer, Mr Pontsho Montle said BVI remained their key partner and the collaboration could nurture research and development as the two leveraged each other’s expertise.

“This will lead to creation of innovative vaccines to address unique challenges faced by local livestock farmers and improve responsiveness to emerging needs,” Mr Montle said.

He added that the collaboration would also lead to stronger advocacy and influence policy direction, adding that the joint advocacy could shape an enabling environment for livestock farmers.

Again, he said the collaboration would assist to increase access to the market since BAMB had various branches manned by qualified professionals who shared crucial information with farmers.

He said the relationship between the two organisations dated far back given that BAMB procured grains and other veterinary supplies that it distributed across its branches around the country whereas BVI manufactured vaccines.

“We import much of our vaccines from South Africa and through collaboration with BVI, issues of import substitution would be addressed,” he said.

For his part, BVI managing director, Mr Andrew Madeswi said the MoU marked the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership aimed at contributing towards bolstering the livestock and agriculture sector of the country.

Mr Madeswi said owing to their mandate as public institutions to support the agriculture sector, the collaboration would thus lead to better achievements.

He said the two institutions had been having engagements prior to the signing of the MoU and their discussions formed key elements of the agreement.

He added that BVI was a renowned vaccine manufacturer in the SADC region and it was self-funded, hence it thrived to ensure that it generated adequate income to support its operations.

As such, he said the organisation embraced collaborations which supported its strategic focus and attainment of tangible results.

He said BAMB was the largest retailer of veterinary medicines in the country, hence the opportunity for the two entities to grow together.

“In the fast-paced evolving animal health medicine environment, it is important for BVI to partner with like-minded institutions to optimise capacity and mobilise resources in order to efficiently support the agricultural sector,” he said.

Thus, he said the collaboration would help them to deepen their footprint by ensuring that essential veterinary medicines were available to the farming community through the BAMB branches. ends