BVI, BAMB forge landmark partnership to boost livestock and agriculture sectors

Phatsimo Kapeng | Wednesday July 3, 2024 10:37

This transformative agreement heralds the start of a collaborative venture poised to enhance the livestock and agricultural industries in Botswana and the broader region. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), Andrew Madeswi, during his address at the ceremony, expressed immense pride and gratitude for the collaboration. He highlighted that this MoU signifies not only a partnership but also a shared vision to strengthen Botswana’s livestock and agricultural sectors.

"This MoU marks the beginning of an exciting and mutually beneficial partnership aimed at contributing towards bolstering the livestock and agricultural sector of our great nation and the region," he stated. "In an era of rapid advancements in animal health, it's imperative for organisations like ours to collaborate, optimising our capabilities and resources to robustly support agricultural growth. Our partnership aims to broaden our outreach and ensure that crucial veterinary products are readily available to local farmers via BAMB's extensive retail network," declared Madeswi. Reflecting on the MoU negotiations that began in 2023, Madeswi noted that numerous value-adding dimensions were explored to form the key elements of the agreement. "BVI, as a self-funding business, embraces collaborations through MoUs that support our strategic focus and attainment of tangible results," he emphasized. He also underscored the alignment between BVI and BAMB, both public bodies dedicated to providing animal health solutions and impacting the lives of Batswana engaged in agriculture.

BAMB CEO, Pontsho Montle,echoed Madeswi's sentiment, stating, "Leveraging the complementary strengths and resources of BAMB and BVI, this alliance promises to bolster the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of Botswana's agricultural and livestock sectors. This, in turn, will enhance the nation's food security and spur economic development." The partnership aims to optimise capacity, mobilise resources, and ensure the availability of essential veterinary medicinal products to the local farming community through BAMB's extensive retail network. "Through engagement in joint market research, we will better understand the specific needs and challenges faced by our farmers, allowing us to tailor our products and solutions," he said. The collaboration will focus on several key areas, including sourcing and distribution, joint research and marketing initiatives, market development, and local manufacturing. These efforts are expected to yield considerable benefits for the agricultural sector and stimulate growth opportunities.

This strategic partnership represents a major advancement in creating shared value within the agricultural industry, promoting livestock health and welfare, unlocking growth potential, and contributing to the overall economic prosperity of Botswana and beyond. In his concluding remarks, Madeswi thanked Montle and his team at BAMB for their partnership and assured them of BVI’s highest commitment to achieving impactful results. "This MoU will be a testament to our collective commitment to promote the health and welfare of our livestock," he affirmed.