Young innovators in Botswana have an exciting opportunity to reshape the nation’s agricultural landscape through technology. The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), in partnership with the Universal Access and Service Fund (UASF) and Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), has announced the launch of its inaugural e-Agriculture Hackathon. The competition aims to develop data-driven solutions to address the critical challenges in Botswana’s agricultural sector.
Theme: Data-Driven Solutions for Sustainability and Productivity in e-Agriculture
The hackathon focuses on leveraging technology to create innovative and sustainable solutions for challenges such as water scarcity, livestock management, pest control, and youth disengagement in agriculture.
Why Participate?
This initiative is a call to action for young innovators passionate about creating impactful change. Participants stand a chance to win exciting prizes and receive development support for their groundbreaking solutions.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Botswana citizenship.
• Aged 18-35 years.
• Teams of 2-5 members, including at least one female participant.
• Individual submissions are not accepted.
The Agricultural Challenges
Botswana’s agricultural sector faces several obstacles, including:
1. Climate Change and Water Scarcity: Unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts affect farming outcomes.
2. Limited Fertile Land: Most of Botswana’s land is arid, requiring innovative solutions to maximize cultivation.
3. Livestock Management Issues: Overgrazing and diseases such as foot-and-mouth impact productivity.
4. Pests and Disease Control: Recurrent pest outbreaks demand effective monitoring and containment strategies.
5. Youth Disengagement: Agriculture is often seen as unappealing to the younger generation.
6. Farmer Collaboration: A lack of systems for real-time information sharing hinders efficiency and knowledge exchange.
What the Hackathon Aims to Achieve
Participants are encouraged to develop applications that:
• Help farmers adapt to unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts.
• Maximize the potential of Botswana’s scarce fertile land.
• Provide innovative solutions for livestock health and disease control.
• Offer tools for real-time pest monitoring and containment.
• Promote youth engagement in agriculture through modern technology.
• Facilitate collaboration among farmers, researchers, and stakeholders.
• Ensure inclusivity and compliance with data privacy standards.
Expected Outcomes
The hackathon aims to produce locally relevant technological innovations, such as:
• Tools for optimizing responses to climate challenges.
• Systems for identifying fertile land and improving its use.
• Platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Applications that make agriculture more attractive to youth.
How to Participate
• Submit proposals online at https://zurl.co/ZpiHa.
• Visit the BOCRA website for detailed information and document downloads: https://zurl.co/VLLXZ.
• Deadline for submissions: January 15, 2025.
Be Part of the Change
This hackathon is more than a competition—it’s a platform for Botswana’s youth to lead the transformation of the agricultural sector, ensuring its sustainability and productivity for future generations.
Take the leap. Submit your proposal today and help revolutionize Botswana’s agriculture through the power of technology.
