The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with its International System for Agricultural Science and Technology (AGRIS) and the FAO Representation in Botswana, recently organized a virtual presentation to increase the participation of institutions in the AGRIS Network dedicated to agricultural and food research.

Carla Mucavi, Country Representative at FAO Botswana, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of engaging stakeholders and underscoring the FAO's commitment to fostering sustainable agricultural development. Mucavi introduced the AGRIS platform as a valuable resource for researchers and institutions, offering free access to millions of bibliographic records. She concluded by encouraging collaboration to enhance agricultural knowledge dissemination and address global challenges in food security and climate change.

During the session, Marcia Mabhula, Program Officer from ITOCA, provided a comprehensive overview of AGRIS. She delved into the history of AGRIS and detailed ongoing initiatives in Botswana. Mabhula particularly emphasized the current landscape of AGRIS in the country and the need to enhance the visibility of institutions and their scientific production.

The event was attended by over 30 representatives from various Botswanan organizations dedicated to agricultural and food research, as well as distinguished FAO team members in the country.

This FAO initiative represents a significant step forward in fostering a cohesive community to promote agricultural knowledge originating from Africa and improving the visibility and accessibility of technical and scientific information produced in the region.