From Farm to Fork: Safeguarding the food supply chain (hosted by Agrizor)

Attaining household or national food security requires strong consideration of food safety implications across the food supply chain. This panel will consider emerging food safety risks, food safety regulations and standards in Botswana, the use of technology in food safety, the role of food producers in securing the food supply chain and the importance of international cooperation in ensuring global food safety standards. The panel will also examine the impact of food safety on food security, consumer confidence, and the economy. The goal of the discussion is to increase awareness of food safety issues and identify strategies for safeguarding the food supply chain to ensure that consumers can have confidence in the safety and quality of the food they eat.

Cultivating for Success: Strategies for Supporting emerging Agribusiness

A common message from our 2022 Conference was the need to provide support for emerging agribusinesses in order to maximise their levels productivity. It is estimated that, in Botswana, agriculture employs about 80 000 people (12% of workforce) most of these are emerging farmers. The panel discussion will explore the challenges faced by emerging agribusinesses across the food value chain. The panel will bring together experts from the agriculture sector, government, and the private sector to discuss strategies for supporting small-scale agribusinesses, including farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers. The discussion will focus on ways to enhance market access, improve production and processing practices, and leverage technology to improve productivity. The panel will also explore the role of partnerships and collaboration between small-scale agribusinesses and leading market players to building resilient food systems

Investing for Sustainable Growth

Enhanced access to financial services is a catalyst for boosting productivity and expanding agribusinesses across the food value chain.. Some of the topics covered may include promoting inclusive growth through impact investing, financial solutions for profitable and sustainable agribusiness, financing and insurance options available to farmers, as well as exploring the challenges related to accessing financial services for agribusiness. The panel will bring together leading financial and investment experts to discuss financial strategies for supporting agribusinesses. The goal of the discussion is to identify strategies for financial inclusion and sustainable development across the food value chain.

Unlocking Value Chains in the Dairy Sector

Botswana consumes +60 million litres of milk per annum but 95% of this demand is served through imports. This deficit presents a unique opportunity to develop a dynamic dairy sector and supporting ecosystem to drive sustainable employment creation, economic diversification, and ultimately improve national food security. This panel discussion will focus on strategies for creating a sustainable and profitable dairy industry, including the use of technology, best practices in animal husbandry and milk production. The goal of the discussion is to identify opportunities for building resilient dairy value chains that can contribute to economic growth, food security, and improved livelihoods for farmers and other stakeholders in the dairy industry.

Food Security in Africa: The Challenge and Mitigation Strategies

It is estimated that 868.3million* people in Africa faced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2022. In order to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, there is a need to implement mitigations measure to ensure that the continent is able to develop sustainable food systems to reduce the levels of food insecurity. This panel, hosted by the United States Embassy, will explore the challenge of food insecurity and discuss the various mitigation strategies to support the development of productive and sustainable food productions in Africa.

*source: State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023