The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has launched an agricultural research center in Botswana, aimed at improving information and technology for farmers, website Sardc.net reported.

The story reported the Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA) would be based in the capital Gaborone.

The centre plans to coordinate and stimulate agricultural growth through research, technology development and providing vital information to farmers, which can help when they want to diversify into new crops or livestock, the story reported.

"The challenge of feeding more than 250 million people in the SADC Member States is enormous, and the launching of this centre could not have come at more appropriate time," Botswana Vice President Mompati Merafhe was quoted as saying.

"To keep pace with population growth and other life demands, research and technology development must remain focused and ahead of time."

Photo: Flickr, Futureatlas.com

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