16 Jan 2023

Tati East constituents have been encouraged to utilise research findings to engage in projects that will improve their livelihoods.

The call was made by Tati East MP, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe who is also  the Minister of Education and Skills Development during his recent  kgotla meetings.   

Commenting on the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in his area, Dr Letsholathebe has indicated that the majority of the people were not convinced by what experts suggested in  dealing with the disease, a situation that has led to Zone 6b declared a red zone.

Though acknowledging the sensitive of the issue, Dr Letsholathebe said the much needed research was carried out on what action was to be taken in dealing with FMD to ultimately benefit the farming community and the economy of the country.

“We worked with Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University in the United States of America to figure out how they managed to keep their cattle healthy and prone to diseases. This universities have shared a lot of information on how to multiply our livestock through scientific artificial insemination,” said Dr Letsholathebe.

He said the research findings from those universities would go a long way in helping the farmers restock and increase their livestock population much quicker after the planned depopulation of the area.

Dr  Letsholathebe said monitoring of the disease through advanced technology and sampling of ideas before application were some of the alternatives that have proven to be beneficial in developing the agricultural sector.

Meanwhile, in Mabudzane, District Veterinary Officer for North East District, Dr Sylvester Molalawesi has encouraged farmers to care for their livestock especially against parasites that lower the value of beef.

Dr Molalawesi said animals that were infested by parasites would lose weight and therefore attract unsatisfactory prices during the depopulation process.

He advised farmers who were still persistent that some of their livestock have not shown any signs of FMD, that once an area has been affected it was highly advisable to diminish the disease effectively through depopulation. ENDS