26 Apr 2020

Some farmers in the Ngamiland district are reported to have adopted the on farm quarantine system in an effort to relief the government quarantine facility in Makalamabedi.

The quarantine system was implemented in the district in order to facilitate commodity based trade (CBT) approach, which is reported to be ideal to open lucrative markets for Ngamiland beef. 

Last year, the department of Veterinary Services suspended entry of cattle into Makalamabedi quarantine since it was over-grazed and farmers were advised to practice private owned quarantine/on farm system while they allowed vegetation at Makalamabedi to recover.

In an interview, Principal Veterinary Officer, Dr Odireleng Thololwane confirmed that most farmers had adopted the system, which he said was producing positive results.

The on farm quarantine, he said was ideal as it helped to reduce pressure on the government facility. He noted that initially the system was practiced in two farms but stated that a lot of farmers were showing interest in adopting the system adding that majority of the farmers were from Hainaveld ranches as they had better facilities. 

“Farmers in ranches are better off as they have good facilities and some had also ventured into feedlots,” he added. 

The department, he said had taken a decision to lift the usage of the Makalamabedi quarantine site while awaiting a report from department of Forestry and Range Resources (FRRS) which was engaged to conduct range assessment to ensure sustainability of vegetation.

FRRS officers, he said had recommended them to use one paddock and agreed to accommodate 300 cattle pending the final report.

Dr Thololwane said the first batch of cattle were from Zone 2d which covers a vast area but expressed disappointment that the farmers response was very poor as they brought only 176 cattle.

The next plan, he said was to accommodate animals from zone 2e which covers some areas of the Okavango district, then Hainaveld ranch, but he stated that their plan was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said they only managed to quarantine 230 animals from Hainaveld, which he said would mature beginning of May and get ready for market.

Dr Thololwane acknowledged that BMC was faced with serious challenge to meet its slaughter target as farmers pledged animals but fail to honour their promise. 

Since they were supposed to take animals from 2e, he said, they had engaged the farmers’ association in Gumare to consider selling cattle through the association in an effort to reduce congestion and movement at the quarantine site to comply with extreme social distancing measures. 

“We have sold the idea to the association leadership and currently awaiting for their response. We believe the arrangement can work better here as it worked wonders in other areas such as Bobonong in the Bobirwa district where farmers sold animals through the cooperative,” he added. Ends