- confident it will reshape economy, strengthen food security, uplift rural livelihoods
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) representative in Botswana, Carla Mucavi has applauded the country’s transformational agenda for national development which places agriculture at the center of economic growth and diversification.
Mucavi commended the Botswana government during the World Food Day Commemoration held in Maunatlala last Thursday.
“FAO welcomes this transformation and is confident it will reshape Botswana’s economy, strengthen food security and uplift rural livelihoods, ensuring every Motswana lives a dignified and prosperous life,” acknowledged the FAO representative.
She urged the resilient agriculture sector made up of youth, women and small hold farmers to confront the powerful adversary known as climate change, which is affecting every village and household, disrupting rainfall, depleting soils and threatening livelihoods.
“The urgency to act has never been greater. We must reimagine how we grow, harvest, process and share food, build systems that are climate smart, inclusive and sustainable to protect our planet,” emphasised FAO representative.
Meanwhile, Mucavi has revealed that about 95 500 million people in Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) regional bloc struggle to access adequate and nutritious food.
“For 80 years, FAO has walked hand in hand with nations, helping them to strengthen food systems, fight malnutrition and protect natural resources. Together we have shaped sound policies, built capacity, advance rural development and promoted co-operation across borders. Yet despite progress, hunger and malnutrition persist. The State of Food and Nutrition Report (2025) and the Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems (2025) reveal that more than one in four people in SADC region struggle to access adequate and nutritious food”, said Mucavi.
SADC is a 16-member regional trading bloc whose population approximately stands at 382 million according to the 2023 estimates.
She said these reports indicate that food price inflation and the escalating cost of healthy diets have made nutritious foods increasingly unaffordable, particularly for women and the rural population.
“Inequality in access to food and resources continues to deepen across the region. However, the region including Botswana hold immense potential particularly through its abundant natural resources, land, water and youth dividend. We must therefore work together and in partnership to unlock the opportunities that the sector can offer in terms of job creation for youth and women, income generation, food security and economic growth for sustainable development,” highlighted Mucavi.
