Kgosi Kefitlhile Kgwakgwe of Digawana in the Good Hope District has urged local farmers to adhere to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) control measures to curb the spread of the disease and safeguard Botswana’s livestock industry.

In an interview recently, Kgosi Kgwakgwe expressed concern that some farmers continued to neglect proper herding and kraaling practices, which increased the risk of FMD transmission.

He welcomed initiatives already taken by farmers to restore drift fences, particularly between Digawana and Lejwana, and noted that cattle owners from Digawana with livestock in Lejwana have agreed to keep their animals there to prevent further spread, given reported cases in the Lejwana area.

The traditional leader also cautioned that the ongoing FMD vaccination campaign should not lead to complacency among farmers in day-to-day livestock management.

Chairperson of the Digawana Farmers Committee, Mr Molosiwa Logare, said while acknowledging efforts to repair drift fences, many cattle were still roaming freely. 

The recent detection of FMD in Leboeng within the Digawana extension area, he said, demonstrated the danger of cattle intermingling at grazing lands.

He called on all farmers to consistently herd and kraal their cattle to effectively control the disease.

This renewed call for vigilance comes at a critical time for Botswana’s beef and livestock sector. In a Press Release dated May 19, the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship announced that China has removed import taxes (tariffs) on qualifying products from Botswana effective May 1, 2026.

This preferential market access provides tariff-free entry for Botswana products into one of the world’s largest markets. The Ministry specifically highlighted beef and livestock products as prime sectors for immediate exploitation.

The Ministry emphasised that strict adherence to disease control, proper documentation, and compliance with Rules of Origin will be essential for Botswana exporters to fully benefit from this opportunity.

Farmers and livestock entrepreneurs in areas such as Digawana are therefore encouraged to maintain high standards of animal husbandry and FMD controls. This will not only protect local herds but also position Botswana producers to capitalise on expanded export markets and create jobs through increased trade. ENDS