Michael MANOWE

Hardworking Agricultural economist bringing [over twenty 20 years of experience in extension service, agribusiness planning and training service, team leadership and business planning. Knowledgeable about preventing diseases and pests, establishing optimal growing conditions and overseeing care schedules to maximize plant attractiveness, growth and health. Seeks to bring expertise to dynamic role in fast-paced environment.

• Agricultural Economist, Agricultural Economist with twenty (20) years’ work experience in the following: Formulation, planning, and monitoring and evaluation of all agricultural policies, programmes and projects; Provision of agribusiness planning and training services; Represented Botswana at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on international trade issues. Represented Botswana at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on agricultural issues.
• SACU, SADC and negotiating groups (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and African Group) at the World Trade Organization and also represented Botswana in bilateral agreements. Acquired vast experience at the five (5) WTO Ministerial Conferences held as follows:, Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-7) held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2009; Eighth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-8) held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2011; Nineth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-9) held in Bali, Indonesia in 2013; Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-10) held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2015; and Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-11) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2017.
• Prepared Cabinet Memorandum of Ostrich Abattoir
• Technical (Livestock) Officer, Technical Officer with over fourteen (14) years’ work experience specializing in: providing extension service for the livestock subsector predominantly beef cattle production, dairy production, smallstock (sheep and goats) production, poultry (broiler and layer) production, piggery and ostrich farming.
• EXPERIENCE, Jan 2019 – present – Farmer Practicing broiler production (Ross and Cobb breeds); Indigenous/Tswana Chickens; Ducks; irrigated agriculture/horticultural farming (planting tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, spinach, herbs, watermelons); rainfed agriculture (planting beans, sunflower, lablab, maize and watermelons); and mushroom production (oyster mushroom). July 2018 – December 2018 – Principal Agricultural Economist, Department of Agribusiness Promotion, Ministry of Agriculture. Responsible for promoting commercialization, diversification, sustainable and competitive agricultural sector through transfer of business skills, improved market access Developed a business plan for the development of Setata Smallstock Production and Training farm using the Lobu Cluster Model. Reviewed the regulations for food safety, animal and plant health protection (Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures) Sept 2007 – June 2018 – Agricultural Attaché at the Botswana Permanent Mission and Embassy in Geneva, Switzerland Responsible for promoting Botswana’s interest at the World Trade Organization (WTO), an organization which leads with international trade. Monitored Botswana’s implementation of WTO agreements especially the Agreement on Agriculture ad was ale notify the ten (10) outstanding notifications. Currently, Botswana is up to date with its agricultural notification commitments. Negotiated reform process of the WTO agreements to suit the changing world. Coordinated negotiating groups such as the ACP Group of States and the African Group at the WTO for each group to speak with one voice, which was not an easy thing because the groups are diverse – Anglophone countries, Francophone countries, developing countries, Net-Food Importing Developing Countries, Least Developed Countries, etc. January 1992 – August 2007 – Agricultural Economist at the then Department of Agricultural Planning and Statistics in the Ministry of Agriculture. Responsible for formulation, planning, monitoring and evaluation of all agricultural policies, programmes and projects. Introduced of the 1991 National Agricultural Policy Conducted several socio-economic feasibility studies for the fencing component of the 1991 National Agricultural Policy Conducted the Ranch Economic Viability Model, which led to the demarcation of ranches/farms countrywide. Introduced Annual Work Plans and Budget to all departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, which later lead to the current Balanced Scorecard. Conducted a study on the Lobu Smallstock Station, which led to its renovation. Monitored the implementation of Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (CBPP) commonly known as Cattle Lung Disease (Lokgwafo) Developed record books for livestock subsectors especially, smallstock (sheep ad goats), beef cattle, poultry (broilers and layers), dairy (cattle and goats), piggery, ostrich and beekeeping Provided training on agribusiness (development of business plans) Secretariat in the CBPP Commission.
• January 1985 – December 1991 – Veterinary Assistant / Livestock Officer at the Department of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Provided extension services to all livestock subsectors including: beef cattle, dairy, smallstock, piggery, poultry and equines. Provided extension services in the fields of animal and public health services to achieve sustainable and competitive livestock industry through prevention and control of nationally and economically important animal diseases. Advised farmers of good livestock management practices. Carried out vaccination of FMD, Black Quarter, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Botulism and Rabies.

• Technical Excellence Award in 2016 – Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
• Employee of the Year Award in 2016 – MoA
• Botswana Public Service Award in 2016 – Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration