The Government of Botswana approved the then Botswana College of Agriculture(BCA) transformation to become a university of agriculture and natural resources, through a Presidential Directive CAB 21 (B)/2013. The decision was in line with the College’s Strategic Plan of 2009-2016, that had a vision to transform into “an agricultural university of international repute.”

The process of transformation was inaugurated on the 12th November 2013, when the, then Ministry of Agriculture announced the Government’s decision to permit the process. On the 1st February 2016, BUAN became a University through commencement of the Act of Parliament 12 of 2015, as a Parastatal under the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security (MoA).

The mandate of the University is to provide higher education and training in the field of agriculture, natural resources and such other allied and related subjects as can be determined by the University Council from time to time. The University intends to produce innovative graduates and technological solutions for sustainable development in agriculture and natural resources.