21 Sep 2016

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Ralotsia has urged stakeholders to work together to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Ngamiland.  

This, he said, would contribute significantly to the eradication of FMD in the region resulting in Ngamiland beef being accepted in lucrative international markets such as the European Union.

He told Ngamiland councillors during the ongoing full council meeting in Maun on September 20 that government efforts alone were not enough to stamp out FMD in the region.

While the minister admitted that the region was prone to animal diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) which was successfully eradicated in the past, he said with commitment FMD could also be  eliminated.

He thanked the Ngamiland leadership for their efforts to educate residents about the disease. “With education, FMD can be eradicated in the region, said Mr Ralotsia.

He explained to the council meeting that during his previous kgotla meetings in the North West District, residents made it clear that they were contributing to the spread of FMD.

The minister said although there were animals such as elephants that destroy disease control fences, his previous meetings noted that people also vandalise the fences thus making it difficult to control FMD.

He added that the situation was compounded by farmers who fail to take care of their cattle. The farmers, the minister said, could not even locate their cattle during vaccination campaigns, and that the stray animals could not be vaccinated hence worsening the situation of FMD in Ngamiland.

The minister noted that the government spends around P20 million annually to combat FMD, saying the effort would not bear fruit if stakeholders, including farmers, do not come to the party. He said just like in other regions, FMD in Ngamiland could be eradicated if everyone participated in the fight.

Mr Ralotsia further urged farmers to take advantage of the free ear tags provided by the government, as they would make it easier for them to trace their livestock and improve beef production. He said Ngamiland farmers were allocated 150 000 ear tags, but that the ministry’s system shows that only 30 000 were utilised, adding that it  defeats government efforts to fight FMD.

He told the councillors that Botswana beef was in high demand, and that the government was determined to see Ngamiland participating in the lucrative beef industry.

Touching on measles, the minister urged farmers to take control of the eradication of the disease by building toilets at their cattle posts.

However in their responses, councillors blamed buffaloes and elephants for FMD in Ngamiland.

“We can erect disease control fences and vaccinate our cattle, but these efforts are negated by elephants which destroy these fences, said councillor Morobela Ledimo of Xauxau ward.

He also called on the government to increase the budget of the Department of Veterinary Services to capacitate it to effectively deal with FMD.

Some councillors blamed the moratorium on hunting for the escalation of FMD. They said the moratorium saw the risk posed by elephants in Ngamiland as they destroyed disease control fences. The majority of councillors pledged their support to the government’s fight against FMD. They also promised to educate their constituents about the disease. Ends