With Botswana looking for ways to improve the Agricultural sector and take it to greater heights, there are a lot of new organizations coming into play. One typical example would have to be the Botswana Agricultural Sciences Professional association (BASPA) which was launched on the 18th of August 2022 but has been in existence for the past 4 years. Mr. Mbiganyi Taka, founder and president of BASPA had this to share, “The vision of BASPA is to revive Botswana’s agriculture through empowered agricultural professionals,” he indicated. He also stated that they are passionate and determined to ensure that the skills and knowledge of the professionals directly impact on the small holder farmers who largely need technical assistance to transition into commercial farming.
He highlighted on some of the objectives for BASPA stating that, BASPA is there to put into practice knowledge and techniques acquired to harness agricultural resources to contribute to the economic development of the country. To teach and expose members to the radical methods of generating self-employment in agriculture, and be less dependent on the government in areas of job creation. To provide a forum for exchange and imparting knowledge, skills and experience among members.
Taka also highlighted on some of the achievements they have ever since inception. “We have an ongoing 10 years’ partnership with SPEDU region to revive the economy of the region through robust agricultural entrepreneurship,” he said. He also said that BASPA is now BQA accredited as an education and training provider, and currently working with the HRDC, UNICEF GENERATION UNLIMITED, the Ministry of Agriculture and other related stakeholders in the industry.
The Minister of Agriculture, Honorable Fidelis M. Molao was also in attendance and had a few words to share. “I am honored to have been requested to bear witness to this great start as the guest speaker of today’s launch. The theme is ‘Harnessing the skills and knowledge of agricultural professionals for the development of Botswana’s agriculture’. This theme is consistent with the actions we need to take to fulfill the legitimate expectations and aspirations of the people we serve, and very relevant towards a successful implementation of the Reset Agenda,” he said.
Hon. Molao stated that BASPA’s existence comes at an opportune time as a development partner towards strengthening and uplifting Botswana’s Agriculture, emphasizing that The agricultural development agenda should not be left for Government alone. He even said that, as the country shifts from a resource based economy to a knowledge based economy, Knowledge creation and the application of knowledge has become central to economic growth. Knowledge is the major source of wealth around the world today. Any country which seeks to become part of the globalized knowledge economy, has to produce a new generation of ‘knowledge workers’.
In his closing Hon. Molao showed gratitude to the efforts made by BASPA and various stakeholders for holding such an event, saying that such collaborations continue even beyond the launch for the benefit of the ordinary Motswana. “Let us remember that Agriculture is life as it provides basic essentials like food for us to live a healthy life, therefore I encourage BASPA to step up and step out to fulfil their primary objective which reads to put into practice knowledge and techniques acquired to harness agricultural resources to contribute to the economic development of our nation, Botswana, he indicated”.
