05 Jul 2022

Nokaneng quarantine will come in handy for Okavango farmers who have been relying on Makalamabedi facility, forcing some to travel long distances.

 Farmers have for some time, requested government to consider reviving the structure in order to cut distance travelled by farmers.

Some travelled as far as Shakawe, Qangwa, Gumare and Nokaneng areas to Makalamabedi to have their cattle quarantined before selling to Botswana Meat Commission.

The quarantine which comprises four paddocks, has started operating June 16 and currently, only two paddocks are functional and accommodate more than 400 cattle, the responsibility of which lie with owners.

Farmers expressed gratitude to the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi during a tour to appreciate the facility and cordon fences saying it would contribution to the cattle industry.

They were also happy to learn that part of the quarantine would be turned into an Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre, to service parts of the district.

Ngamiland District, they said was faced with a number of challenges citing disease outbreaks such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) which obstructed the flow of cattle market.

A farmer, Mr Barati Lelatlhego appreciated government’s efforts to revive the quarantine and hoped that higher profits should be expected from improving herd productivity as the facility would help fight the spread of diseases such as FMD.

He also wished BMC could consider increasing its quota noting that at times they failed to quarantine their cattle because they were told the facility was full.

Mr Lelatlhego also said farmers in areas of Gumare and Tubu had lost many cattle due to bont tick outbreak adding that 31 farmers from nine crushes had been impoverished by the outbreak.

Mr Elijah Kitso called on relevant authorities to improve the standard of kraals at the quarantine.

Kgosi Kebonyetsala Fish of Nokaneng appreciated government decision to revive the quarantine system and AI centre in Ngamiland District since cattle rearing played an important role in community livelihoods

He said it was also a social and cultural icon of status for the community and believed that the decision would augment President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s bull donation initiative which aimed to increase cattle heard in the country.

Ngami constituency, he said had the highest cattle population but due to diseases outbreaks and geographic conditions, the numbers had declined and believed that the quarantine system and AI centre, would benefit farmers.

Kgosi Fish requested government to attend to two non-functional paddocks at the quarantine which were reported to be infested with dichapetalum cymosum or poison leaf commonly known as mogau.

Ngami constituency Member of Parliament, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama concurred that the district was prone to various challenges as diseases outbreaks, predator attacks and elephants that terrorised farmers.

“I am happy that finally you have revived the quarantine and I am hopeful that you will address the issue of mogau in other paddocks so that more cattle are accommodated,” he added.

He also appreciated government decision to subsidise transportation of animals to BMC and distribution of semen to farmers but wished farmers could be assisted with land and water in order to increase production. By so doing, Mr Hikuama said farmers would be motivated, become self-employed and improve food security.

For his part, assistant minister, Mr Molebatsi said government was doing its best to find solutions to challenges faced by Ngamiland farmers noting that efforts were made to find alternative ways to increase production hence the revival of quarantine systems, Artificial Insemination centre.

“We are equally concerned about challenges faced by the Ngamiland community and we are making efforts to help and ensure farmers reap the returns of their animals,” he added.

Mr Molebatsi said the aim was to eventually turn some areas into green zones and so that they could access better markets.  ENDS