NFTRC Exhibits At MYAA Launch

  • NFTRC Exhibits At MYAA Launch

    NFTRC Exhibits At MYAA Launch

    NFTRC Exhibits At MYAA Launch

    National Food Technology Research Centre (NFTRC) recently attended the Month of Youth Against AIDS (MYAA) launch organised by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security (MoA).

    The launch was held at Moreane Lands in Letlhakane East under the theme: “Youth against HIV/AIDS to attain food security”.

    Its main objective was to empower youth entrepreneurs and give youth officers a chance to mingle and share ideas on how to combat the epidemic.

    The Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Kgotla Kenneth Autlwetse said that in March 1997, the then president of Botswana, Mr Festus Mogae declared HIV/AIDS an epidemic, hence the commemoration during this month.

    He said the impact of HIV/AIDS continues to threaten the nation and the ministry’s vision to contribute to the achievement of food security, poverty alleviation and socio-economic growth.

      The youth flocked the NFTRC stall to learn more about its products and services

    Emphasising that  the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoH) cannot combat the epidemic alone, Mr Autlwetse said that the Statistics Botswana`s fourth HIV/AIDS Impact Survey of 2013 shows that young people between the ages of 35-49 are the hardest hit by the HIV scourge.

    He said tragically, the prevalence is still increasing and the disease commonly strikes the most economically productive members of society.

    Mr Autlwetse shared that females had a relatively higher prevalence rate of 20.8 % against males with 15.6 %.

    He said the statistics are a cause for concern, considering that young people constitute 42% of the national population.

    He said Botswana, like most developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa is agricultural based, with majority of the people living in rural areas and being mainly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. 

    He summed up that the month affords Batswana a rare opportunity to take stock, take responsibility to end HIV/AIDS and map the way forward.

    The event was hosted at the farm of a young farmer Aubrey Maseko who has been funded and given land by the government.

    To show appreciation to the government and to give the youth hope on government programmes he offered the venue for free.

     


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