President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi expressed gratitude for the European Union's (EU) involvement and support in the Selebi Phikwe Citrus (SPC) project.

Addressing the ceremony at Mannaesi Farm, President Masisi thanked Her Excellency Petra Pereyra, the EU Ambassador to Botswana and SADC region, for the consistent support provided to the project and efforts to ensure Botswana's access to the EU market.

He acknowledged the financial assistance from the EU in enhancing staff capacity on compliance issues and aiding the country in drafting export procedures, which facilitate the transportation of local fruits from Botswana to sea ports in South Africa, as well as providing cooling and cold storage facilities.

Furthermore, President Masisi highlighted the EU's engagement of professionals from Citrus Research International (CRI) in South Africa, who guided the Ministry of Agriculture on market access requirements and provided scientific advice on mitigation measures.

While the EU market has been secured for all cultivars of fresh citrus fruits, negotiations are ongoing for five other protocol markets, including the USA, China, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines. President Masisi urged the Ministry of Agriculture to conclude negotiations for the remaining protocol markets.

Botswana aims to export fresh citrus fruits to 21 permit markets worldwide, including Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and South Africa.

President Masisi also expressed appreciation for the assistance from other diplomatic missions in Botswana in accessing their respective markets and thanked the leadership and people of the SPEDU region for their support of the citrus project.

He emphasized that the project demonstrates Botswana's commitment to revitalizing the SPEDU region post-mining activities and securing its future.

President Masisi highlighted the potential of a peer-support approach in achieving collective aspirations towards a sustainable and commercially viable agricultural sector, aimed at attaining food security and national dignity.

The Selebi Phikwe Citrus project is expected to produce approximately 9,000 tonnes of fruit this year, with exponential production growth annually. President Masisi stated that increased production would significantly enhance supply capacity to both local and global markets yearly, including the export of patented pedigree fresh citrus fruits.

He urged small farmers to seize opportunities within the citrus value chain and utilize the Chema Chema Fund for business development, particularly in agro-processing.

President Masisi noted that SPC would reduce Botswana's citrus import bill significantly, while also exploring other activities such as honey production from the citrus farm.

He emphasized the importance of technological research for an innovative and knowledge-based economy and encouraged stakeholders to ensure that knowledge and environmental sustainability traits are shared within the industry.

President Masisi commended various stakeholders for their contributions to the citrus project's success, particularly the Mmadinare Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society for leasing land to SPC. He highlighted the cooperative's inclusive development approach as exemplary.

Furthermore, he thanked government-created business support institutions and ministries for their roles in attracting quality investors and negotiating market access protocols.

President Masisi urged Batswana to embrace the Mindset Change transformation agenda and work towards achieving the goals of the national Vision 2036, emphasizing agriculture and food production as core values for high economic growth.