A cow can look perfectly healthy, yet its meat may tell a different story. Beef measles has become a growing concern in the Kgatleng District, with the Mochudi cluster recording the highest prevalence, followed by Atesia, Bokaa and Mathubudukwane. Recently, BUAN through capacitating One health in Easten and Southren Africa (COHESA ) has been conducting farmer workshops across Kgatleng to create awareness about beef measles, its causes, prevention and the role that farmers and communities can play in addressing the problem. During one of the engagements, Prof Flora Pule-Meulenberg shared important information with farmers about this often hidden challenge. THE CHALLENGE: YOU MAY NOT SEE IT One of the biggest challenges with beef measles is that an infected animal can look completely healthy. Unlike diseases that may cause visible signs such as weakness, loss of appetite or changes in behaviour, cattle infected with beef measles generally do not show obvious signs or symptoms while they are alive. In many cases, the infection is only discovered after the animal has been slaughtered, when the carcass is inspected at the abattoir. Beef measles is caused by the larval stage of a tapeworm known as Taenia saginata. Cattle become infected when they consume food or water contaminated with the parasite’s eggs. These eggs can develop into small cysts in the muscles of the animal. There is no treatment that farmers can use to cure beef measles in an infected animal, making prevention and breaking the transmission cycle extremely important. WHY IS THIS A ONE HEALTH ISSUE? Beef measles goes beyond the farm. It is a One Health issue because the health of people, animals and the environment are closely connected. The cycle can begin when a person carrying the adult tapeworm passes its eggs through human faeces. When proper sanitation is not practised, human waste can contaminate grazing areas, fields or water sources. Cattle grazing in these areas or drinking contaminated water can ingest the parasite’s eggs and become infected. The cycle can then return to humans when infected beef is eaten raw or insufficiently cooked, allowing the parasite to develop in the human intestine. This shows why addressing beef measles cannot be the responsibility of farmers alone. What happens in our communities can affect our livestock. What happens to our livestock can affect the food we eat. And what we do to our environment can affect both. FARMERS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY  BUT WE ALL DO During the workshops, farmers shared practical suggestions on how the community can work together to tackle the problem. Some of the proposed interventions include: More farmer awareness campaigns  -Take information directly to farmers and communities. Use social media and farmers’ groups - Share accurate information through WhatsApp groups, Facebook and other platforms to reach more people. Educate children from a young age -Introduce awareness programmes in primary schools so that children learn about sanitation, livestock health and food safety early. Work with village leadership and committees - Involve dikgosi, village leadership and community structures in spreading awareness and encouraging proper sanitation practices. Put up awareness signboards -Place educational messages at strategic points around communities and farming areas. Protect water and grazing areas - Prevent human waste from contaminating areas where livestock feed and drink. Ensure proper meat inspection - Animals should be slaughtered through approved facilities where meat can be properly inspected. Cook beef thoroughly - Consumers should ensure that beef is properly cooked before eating. THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE Beef measles may be hidden, but the solution starts with awareness. Farmers, consumers, parents, children, community leaders, animal health professionals and environmental health stakeholders all have a role to play. By working together, we can break the cycle of infection and protect our livestock, our food and our communities. One Health means one shared responsibility  protecting the health of people, animals and the environment.

The Department of Crop and Soil Science at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) proudly highlights an MSc Crop Science (Agronomy) research project by BYA'UNDAOMBE L. Jean-Paul, a RUFORUM Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) scholar from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Assistant Research and Teaching Fellow at Université Espoir du Congo. His research, "Response of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Intercropping with Grain Legumes under Semi-Arid Conditions of Botswana," is supervised by Prof. F. Pule-Meulenberg, Dr. T. S. Moroke, and Dr. Gloria N. Mashungwa. Botswana's agriculture faces increasing challenges from climate change, poor soil fertility, and recurrent droughts, while demand for rice continues to grow. However, local rice production remains low due to nitrogen-deficient soils, resulting in heavy dependence on imported rice and synthetic fertilizers. This study investigates the potential of intercropping upland rice with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) as a climate-smart strategy to improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, enhance rice productivity, and increase resource-use efficiency under semi-arid conditions. The research aims to generate scientific evidence on sustainable rice production systems that can help improve crop yields, reduce fertilizer use, strengthen climate resilience, and support Botswana's food security and agricultural sustainability. The findings are expected to provide practical recommendations for farmers, policymakers, researchers, and development partners. Through this innovative research, BUAN continues to promote sustainable agricultural solutions that contribute to resilient farming systems and improved livelihoods across Botswana.

The Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) has achieved a major milestone in its mission to strengthen skills development and agricultural education following the signing of the first phase of a grant from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). The funding will support the implementation of the University’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme, a strategic initiative aimed at equipping Batswana with practical, industry-relevant skills to contribute to national development. The partnership between BUAN and BADEA was initiated during the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Conference hosted by BUAN in December 2025. The conference provided an opportunity for BUAN leadership to engage with representatives from BADEA on areas of mutual interest, particularly in advancing agricultural education, innovation and capacity building across Africa. Following these engagements, BADEA invited BUAN to submit a proposal outlining projects that could benefit from financial support. The University developed and submitted a proposal centred on expanding technical and vocational education to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the agricultural sector. After a rigorous evaluation process, the proposal was approved, resulting in BADEA awarding the University a grant to be implemented in phases. As part of their visit to Botswana, a BADEA delegation paid a courtesy call on BUAN, where they were welcomed by the University’s leadership. During the visit, the delegation toured BUAN’s Solar Plant, one of the University’s flagship sustainability initiatives. The tour provided an opportunity for the delegation to appreciate the University’s commitment to renewable energy, innovation and environmentally sustainable development, while also gaining a broader understanding of BUAN’s infrastructure and ongoing transformation agenda. The first phase of the grant was officially signed by the Ministry of Finance in the presence of the BUAN Council Chairperson, Vice Chancellor Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, members of the University’s Executive Management, officials from BADEA and other key stakeholders. The signing marks the commencement of the implementation phase of the TVET Programme and reinforces the confidence that international development partners continue to place in BUAN’s strategic vision. Through this funding, BUAN will establish and operationalise four TVET centres across Botswana. The centres will provide accessible, high-quality technical and vocational education designed to equip young people with practical competencies aligned with the country’s development priorities and labour market needs. The programme is expected to produce graduates with hands-on skills capable of supporting Botswana’s agricultural transformation, food security and economic diversification efforts. The University anticipates welcoming its inaugural TVET student intake in January 2027, marking the beginning of a new chapter in expanding opportunities for skills-based education and lifelong learning. The successful partnership highlights the importance of collaboration between institutions of higher learning and international development partners in addressing Africa’s skills and development challenges. It also demonstrates the value of platforms such as the RUFORUM Conference in creating meaningful partnerships that translate dialogue into tangible investments with lasting impact. Speaking on the significance of the milestone, BUAN leadership expressed appreciation to BADEA, the Ministry of Finance and RUFORUM for their continued support and confidence in the University’s vision. The partnership is expected to strengthen BUAN’s contribution to national and regional development by expanding access to quality technical and vocational education while promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable agricultural development. As implementation of the project begins, BUAN remains committed to delivering transformative education and training programmes that respond to the evolving needs of Botswana and the African continent.