09 Jun 2024

 A palpable excitement is sweeping through the village of Butale and residents mostly pastoralist prepare for the eagerly awaited livestock restocking exercise.

Their eyes full of anticipation, they are busy constructing cattle kraals, mending fences, and tending to their homestead, as they await the restocking exercise to gain back what had been of  economic and sentimental value in their lives.

As the epicenter of the devastating 2023 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, Butale will today, June 10, host President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi as he will officially mark the beginning of the Zone 6 (b) restocking exercise.

Zone 6 (b) covers Jackals No.1, Jackals No.2, Tsamaya, Siviya, Butale, Mabudzane, Tshesebe, Mowana and Ramokgwebana, which were depopulated to eradicate the disease.

Kgosi Grace Butale of Butale told BOPA in an interview that preparation for the imminent restocking exercise and anticipation has taken hold in her village.

“Cattle farmers, whose livelihoods were dealt a severe blow by the ravaging FMD outbreak in 2023, have embarked on a frenzy of activity to ready themselves for the much-anticipated influx of livestock,” said Kgosi Butale.

She explained that the construction of cattle kraals, essential enclosures for the secure containment and care of cattle, were underway in many households around village.

Kgosi Butale explained that the President’s visit to the area was imbued with profound significance, adding that the visit underlined government’s commitment to the restoration and rejuvenation of the agricultural sector, particularly the livestock industry, which was vital to the economy and livelihoods of many communities.

 Kgosi Butale also said the visit was an expression of empathy and solidarity from the highest office in the land, reaffirming government’s dedication to supporting its people in times of crisis and serving as a source of hope and inspiration for the affected farmers.

One farmer, Mr Zenzo Mdongo shared the sentiments, adding that “the restocking exercise is a Godsend. We were hard hit by the outbreak and lost everything, but now we are given a chance to rebuild.”

Moreover, Mr Mdongo said the farmers were determined to brighten their future even though it may not be a smooth journey.

The challenge facing Mr Mdongo and fellow farmers are formidable. “Our kraals have been destroyed, our herd boys are scattered, and our water sources are drying up. And now with the drought, things are only getting harder”

Thankfully, government has offered some assistance such as subsiding livestock feed, but Mr Mdongo was of the view that it would take time and work to get the herds back to where they were before.

Despite these hardships, he remains steadfast, his resilience a testament to the grit and determination of the local community. However, for Ms Masego Geoffrey, another farmer affected by the FMD outbreak, shared a more critical perspective to the restocking exercise, adding that the outbreak caught off-guard.

 Ms Geoffrey said while she appreciated government’s efforts, she wished that the restocking exercise could have been delayed until the drought conditions improved. “It is going to be difficult for us to take care of the new livestock without having to worry about lack of water or grazing. I worry that we are setting ourselves up for failure if we try to do too much, too soon,” she said.

She opined that government should have delayed the restocking exercise until August or October when the country would receive the first rains after winter

After the depopulation of the area, farmers were given a 30:70 compensation package after the devastating Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, with 30 per cent of the compensation being in the form of cattle and the remaining 70 per cent in cash.

The dual compensation was a lifeline for many farmers, who were struggling to recover from the devastating effects of the disease. For many, the compensation was the only way to stay afloat.

The compensation scheme was designed to help farmers get back on their feet after the outbreak.

In addition, farmers received money for the slaughtered cattle, and the cost of slaughtering was also covered by government. ENDS