13 Nov 2017

Considering the current complexity of the ecological and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) epidemiological situation in Chobe and Ngamiland areas, the country advocates for Community Based Trade (CBT) in order to facilitate management of FMD and trade in animal products.

The director of Veterinary Services, Dr Letlhogile Modisa said this when presenting prospects of CBT approach in the northern part of the country to ensure a win-win for the livestock and livestock sectors.

CBT is an array of alternatives that can be used individually or in combination to ensure that the production and processing of a particular commodity or product are managed so that potential food safety and animal health hazards are reduced to appropriate risk levels.

Dr Modisa explained that CBT was an ideal opportunity for Botswana as a lot of efforts had been done as far as FMD control and market accesses were concerned, adding that the country also had the necessary infrastructure and know how to comply with all the requirements of CBT for markets access.

He said the country for a long time depended much on diamonds and now they realised the need to identify new areas as drivers of the economy citing agriculture. Beef has the potential to contribute significantly to the GDP and Botswana stands at the top of the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP) of the OIE having successfully cleared more than 85 per cent of the country from FMD, he added.

He mentioned that recently, areas of Nata and Gweta were approved to be green zone adding that currently they were working on the Hainaveld as the protection zone.

Dr Modisa noted that sheep and goats were seen not playing much role in the epidemiology of Foot and Mouth Disease citing that in future, goats might be of direct CBT.

He also stated that there was a geographic separation of fencing grazing areas so that cattle of different status and wildlife do not mix. In addition, he explained that access to lucrative markets was essential despite costly geographical separation due to damage by elephants.

Furthermore, Dr Modisa pointed out that the district hasd over 4000 cattle population. He said they had covered 70-75 per cent of individual animal identification exercise which was still on going.

He also noted that Botswana had the best beef on planet citing that Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) which has a shelf life of six months of beef in its Maun export abattoir. Commenting, stakeholders welcomed the CBT approach noting that it would open more doors for Ngamiland beef market.

They said the approach was relevant to the district as it would make a difference in the livelihoods of the communities who were stricken by poverty due to lack of beef markets.

However, they called for thorough education of the CBT approach to sensitise farmers about its importance and how they would benefit. They said education was critical for community involvement so that they could own the initiative and take part in its implementation.

Some called for a pilot project on CBT so that the communities could really appreciate the whole concept. It was reported that herding and good husbandry practices would be critical in the implementation of CBT. The success of CBT relies on farmers managing to control FMD. BOPA