14 Apr 2026

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) continues to spread across the Barolong farms despite control measures in place.

Thus far, the Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the disease had been detected in at least five villages in Barolong.

He said this in a kgotla meeting he held at the Goodhope main Kgotla yesterday, where he updated residents on the state of the disease in the district.

Dr Dikoloti said that since the disease was first detected in Ramatlabama Artificial Center and Testing Laboratory on March 30, more cases had now been reported in various villages.

“It was later reported that there were positive cases detected in Matasalalo and Papatlo but now we have other cases in Bethel, Phihetswane and Bruwer's feedlot in Hildavale,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti lamented that despite all the measures put in place to control the disease, it continues to spread at a high rate. He said it was now up to farmers and the community at large to start doing the right things such as heeding to advices from veterinary services officers on how to control the spread of the disease.

The acting minister said the situation was a national crisis requiring joint efforts, stressing that government could not defeat the disease without support from other industry players.

He said Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) which had been doing well lately, had since stopped operating.

“BMC has at least P2million worth of meat on its storage some of which was already paid for by international customers. This now means that we will not be able to deliver the beef” the acting minister said, noting that the commission was going to make huge loss. He further said BMC was looking forward to operate 24 hrs in the near future had it not been disturbed by the FMD scourge.

Dr Dikoloti urged the community to monitor each other to help eradicate the disease in the district, warning that some farmers might relocate their livestock risking spreading FMD further.

The acting minister encouraged farmers to kraal their animals at night and also to avail them to surveillance teams as that would help detect the disease earlier.

For their part, the community implored government to provide vaccines, saying it would help curb the spread of the disease.

However, Dr Dikoloti said vaccines were normally the last means of defence, pointing out that it would adversely affect the monetary value of the cows.

He said even the European Union market would take a knock as they needed meat which was free from FMD vaccination.

One of the farmers, Mr Patrick Ralotsia concurred with Dr Dikoloti that the disease could only be won through cooperation and jealously guarding against elements that may want to sabotage the efforts of keeping the district a green zone.

He warned that some countries were envious because Botswana meat fetched high prices on the international markets.

The community was further cautioned that if they did not cooperate with officials, the district could be declared a red zone in 24 months, making it difficult to regain greenzone status, which might take years. ENDS