As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the opening of the Botswana Agriculture Roundtable gathering. The air buzzed with anticipation, and the room hummed with the collective energy of farmers, experts, and enthusiasts. We had meticulously planned this event—a platform to discuss sustainable practices, innovation, and the future of agriculture in our community.
FNB Botswana and LEA (Local Enterprise Authority) had pledged their support. Their promises echoed in my mind as I welcomed participants, my heart swelling with gratitude. These institutions, pillars of our economy, recognized the importance of our cause. They assured us of their presence, their presentations, and even promised to provide food for the attendees.
But then, like a sudden gust extinguishing a candle, their commitment wavered. The day before the roundtable, we received the dreaded news: FNB Botswana and LEA had withdrawn their pledges. The food they promised vanished, and their presentations evaporated into thin air. Our disappointment was palpable—a bitter taste in our mouths.
I wondered how institutions that directly benefited from agriculture could falter at this crucial juncture. We weren’t asking for the moon; we merely sought their active involvement. After all, they feasted on the fruits of our labor—the potatoes, the maize, the succulent fruits—yet when it came to supporting the very industry that sustained them, they hesitated.
In contrast, (BOBs) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Police and BTV l stepped up. Their unwavering commitment salvaged our event. They provided not only valuable insights during their presentations but did presentation and coverage. Their dedication to agriculture was evident, and I felt a renewed sense of hope.
As I addressed the audience, I couldn’t help but share our disappointment. I spoke of the paradox—the irony that those who filled their plates with our produce hesitated to fill our cause with their support. The room nodded in agreement, their eyes reflecting shared frustration.
But amidst the disappointment, a fire burned within me. We, the farmers, the advocates, the stewards of the land, would not be defeated. We would continue to sow seeds of change, nurture them with resilience, and reap a harvest of progress. Our roundtable might have been scarred by broken promises, but it was also strengthened by unwavering resolve.
And so, we pressed forward. The discussions flowed, ideas blossomed, and connections formed. We vowed to amplify our voices, to advocate louder, and to bridge the gap between those who ate and those who toiled to make that food possible.
As the event concluded, I glanced at the empty seats where FNB Botswana and LEA representatives should have sat. Their absence spoke volumes. But the room was filled with something more potent—the spirit of collaboration, the determination to uplift agriculture, and the knowledge that disappointment could fuel change.
We shall win at all odds😊
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