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University of Botswana (UB) Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, has urged universities in Botswana to be impactful in carrying out research and innovation in order to improve the agricultural sector.

Proffessor Norris made these remarks during the Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Annual General Meeting Pre-launch webinar held on the 31st of July 2025, at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN). Speaking at the event, Norris decried insufficient research within universities and called on them to produce meaningful and impactful research which will help revitalise the once booming economic sector. Thus, Professor Norris expressed concern towards the low level of contribution of agriculture towards Botswana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Zambia.

He noted that with a high research and innovative output, universities could help in increasing national food production, food security, improved livelihoods and sustainable agricultural systems.

In addition, Professor Norris highlighted that agriculture was the foundation of economies and industries of developed countries such as Netherlands and United States of America (USA). He viewed the beef industry as the largest component of the agri-food system that accounted for the country’s substantial portion of agricultural exports that could be tapped into to improve and boost the economy. He further noted that universities research had to lead in innovation that could be directly applied to improve agricultural productivity and efficiency.  He therefore said universities could achieve that through engaging with farming communities to address agricultural challenges faced by local communities through provision of technical advice, latest research findings, training on new technologies and practices.

In conclusion, the Vice Chancellor emphasised that local universities should strive to transition from first generation to fourth generation universities status through research and innovation that had positive impact to communities, engage in value chain research and innovation. To this end, he advocated for the promotion of eco-system between universities, government, private sector and industries.