Ofentse Moseki

I am very delighted to be the recipient of this Scholarship. Being chosen from different member states to pursue this PhD means a lot to me. I want to thank SASSCAL, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change and Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) for this opportunity.

My ultimate career goal is to be a leading expert and a go to person in the field of agricultural sciences; water resources and agricultural productivity, considering that we live in semi-arid environments. However, I believe that to realize these career dreams demands me to take rigorous and robust steps such as obtaining a PhD in this discipline. Undertaking PhD will introduce me to vast knowledge and understanding of the topic in general hence I applied for this programme. Challenges of water resources management and use require integrated approaches that address them holistically across all sectors.

Botswana is a landlocked country with water sources consisting of surface water (in rivers, pans and dams of various sizes) and underground water in aquifers some of which are of a fossil nature with no recharge meaning water resources are limited. The most challenging thing experienced in the country is the adoption of IWRM programmes by different sectors, proper execution of IWRM programme will ensure that the already stressed water resource is well managed.

IWRM promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems and other water requiring sectors. My research would form part of the strategies to ensure food security is attained in the current climate state and future taking into account the principle of IWRM of ensuring sustainability in different sectors using water.