Breaking News: B2B Agro-Industry Forum 2024 Debrief

Gaborone, Botswana—On October 10, a debriefing meeting was held following the successful B2B Agro-Industry Forum 2024, organized by Hunter’s Global Network in partnership with Farmer’s Pride International Botswana. The event, funded by Premier Clothing and the National Development Bank of Botswana (NDB), took place at the Botswana Chamber of Mines from 9 to 11 a.m.

Notable Attendees:

1. Elfas Mcloud Zadzagomo Shangwa (Hunter) Hunter's Global Network -HGN

2. . Banusi Mbaakanyi FPI Executive & Rame Equipment Supplies

3. Laone Mopipi Farmer's Pride international 

4. Joseph Ramotshabi- Chamber of Mines

5. Prof. Dixon Toromiro-BUAN

6. John Matlapeng-NDB

7. Morulaganyi Masalila-Chamber of mines

8. Joy- FPI Aspiring Farmer

9. Theetso CM

10. the other gentleman--CM

11. Dr. Martin Kebakile-NARDI

12. Dmytro Reznichenko- Ukraine Embassy 

13. Sheila (MFK)

14. Theetso Moetlo-Chamber of Mined

15. Mpho Matebesi- Chamber of Mines

The debrief, led by Organizing Chairperson Banusi Mbaakanyi, reviewed the forum's activities and outlined future plans. Participants agreed to establish an Agro-Processing Cluster, which will integrate Farming Clusters under Farmer's Pride International with Industrial Clusters to form Agriculture Based Clusters (ABCs). These clusters aim to enhance agriculture, farming, and value addition while promoting backward linkages with suppliers and forward linkages connecting producers to markets and consumers.

Ms Banusi Mbaakanyi with support from Hunter's Global Network PTY LTD Executive President Elfas Zadzagomo (Hunter) made a suggestion that Mr. Joseph Ramotshabi representing Chamber Of Mines agree to take up responsibility that Chamber of Mines hosts and lead the Agro-Industry Cluster. After highlighting the challenges on funding this important institution, with everyone a greeting that they will support Chamber of Mines he later agreed to take responsibility. 

The discussion highlighted the importance of organization, particularly after hearing from the Country Director of Farmer's Pride International Botswana about the successful development of Farming clusters currently growing and providing potatoes to the Nation in support of the Government of Botswana's ban on importation of Potatoes into Botswana' for 2 years, the gathering was happy to look at ways to support the Farming Clusters and to put in plans to train farmers on other additional high-value crops, including tomatoes, beans, Onions and maize.

The meeting concluded with Farmer's Pride International and Hunter's Global Network being given a task and committing to draft a concept note for the Botswana Agro-Processing (BOAP) initiative. The Chamber of Mines will lead the steering committee, with FPI Country Director Laone Mopipi at the helm of the initiative desk, given her organization's track record in farming clusters development. The initiative will be driven by the private sector.

Dr. Martin Kebakile from NARDI informed attendees about a tomato processing plant in Selibe Phikwe that requires more tomatoes than local farmers currently supply. NARDI is also focused on seed production and is open to partnerships. J Matlapeng from NDB discussed the challenges of funding farmers and production sectors, emphasizing losses from unmet expectations. Hunter's Global Network proposed that funding should be allocated to registered clusters, overseen by FPI, rather than individual farmers.

D.T. Rimiro from BUAN shared their expertise in testing technology for farming communities and their commitment to rural development through agriculture. They expressed willingness to collaborate with other stakeholders.

B2B Agro-Industry 2024

The meeting on the 10th of October 2024 culminated from the B2B Agro Industry forum 2024, which  took place in Gaborone at Ava Marian from the 23rd to the 24th of September 2024 and lasted three days, attracted five members from Ukraine's AgroVin, an Agro-Processing Cluster of 60 major farming and industrial clusters in Ukraine, who provided valuable international insights. Despite challenges such as last-minute funding issues and the withdrawal of some sponsors, the forum was deemed a success.

The success of the forum is attributed to the leadership of Banusi Mbaakanyi, appointed Chairperson by the Executive President of Farmer's Pride International. Mbaakanyi, along with Laone Mopipi and Elfas Mcloud Zadzagomo from Hunter's Global Network, worked diligently to secure a venue and ensure the event's success.

The arrival of AgroVin marked the beginning of fruitful B2B meetings, leading to the formation of three new clusters: Farming, Manufacturing, and Petroleum. These groups are now preparing to meet the expectations of AGROVIN and other potential investors set to visit Botswana in the near future.

The forum concluded positively, setting the stage for continued collaboration and growth in Botswana's agro-processing sector.

Watch and listen more on the B2B Agro Industry Forum 2024 speaches here:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jnpgs5kshsZKoZWM/?mibextid=oFDknk

For Debrief meeting photos visit this page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/hSDcyVac8Si4oPyQ/?mibextid=oFDknk