24 Feb 2019

Ngamiland farmers have hailed the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security for establishing a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) unit in the district. 

The district has been experiencing the recurrence of FMD, and some farmers had called on government to set up a FMD unit to control the spread of the disease.

Farmers expressed their views in random interviews that the long awaited facility was a move in the right direction. They were hopeful that the unit would respond effectively to the re-emergence of FMD in the district which had left many farmers poor. Traditionally the community depended solely on rearing of livestock, but lack of market hindered their efforts. Farmers said the disease had affected their livelihoods and paralysed the local economy.

Chairperson of Hainaveld Farmers Association, Mr Killer Ledimo commended government for responding to their plea. 

He said they had long wanted the unit in the district as they realised that it was difficult to win the battle against FMD. He said the unit would make a huge difference as it would focus on measures to control and contain the disease. 

“We believe that the set-up of the unit will strengthen the relationship between officers and farmers. We believe that the unit will respond immediately once a report of any suspicious animal,” he added.

He further appreciated that the Department of Veterinary Services was overwhelmed, and that it compromised the working relationship between officers and farmers. 

He expected the unit to embark on public education to familiarise the community about its mandate, and to solicit ideas on how best they could improve their cooperation as far as FMD control was concerned. 

Another farmer, Mr Sekeletu Sekeletu concurred with him, noting that they needed such a unit in the district as FMD has affected them. 

He also called for more consultations with relevant stakeholders to appraise them about the unit and its mandate. In addition he hoped the unit would establish a rapport with farmers.

Head of FMD unit, Dr Nlingisisi Babayani explained that the unit was established following a warning from farmers in 2017. 

He said their concern was that they were not selling their cattle as expected and yet the rural economy depended on agriculture.

He said the government was pouring more money to contain and control the disease hence they found it fit to set up the unit in Ngamiland which would be responsible for FMD nationally. 

The unit became operational last December and is housed at the Department of Agriculture. 

Dr Babayani explained that the unit would work closely with farmers. ENDS