22 May 2017

 Efforts to eliminate the amblyoma tick that kills livestock in the Okavango District continue to prevail in the area.

Since last year, the tick has brought misery to farmers as they lost many of their livestock, particularly cattle.

The number of cattle that has been reported dead to the Department of Veterinary Services since the amblyoma tick struck is 9 600.

Nominated member in the North West District Council, Mr Reaboka Mbulawa reacted to the agonising situation early this year and donated an effective chemical or dip to famers in the affected areas.

On Friday, he once again continued with the noble gesture by handing over 75 bottles of the chemical and 50 spray tanks to Gumare farmers to be used in the fight against the deadly tick.

The 50 spray tanks were donated to the councillor’s company by the UNDP office in Botswana.

When handing the chemical, Mr Mbulawa appealed for a collective effort among farmers to end the existence of the tick in Okavango.

He also encouraged farmers to heed advises from the Department of Veterinary Services.

Gumare’s Kgosi Diteko Salepito also encouraged farmers to work together in the fight against the amblyoma tick.

He also said people should have a common goal of getting rid of the tick, saying for example that if farmers spray their cattle, they should also spray the nearby cattle even if it is not theirs.

As for government’s assistance, Ms Loveness Malumbela of Maun veterinary services said government already had a set programme where it routinely provided vaccines for certain livestock diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, Anthrax, Rabbies and Black Quarter among others.

She however commended Mr Mbulawa for his gesture and also encouraged farmers to work together.

Meanwhile, P30 000 has been spent in the purchase of the chemical, while one litre makes 2000 litres to dip the animals. ENDS