27 Jul 2026

The ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) predicament has presented an economic crisis tugging at the heartstrings of every person in the nation.  

Officiating at the Southern District Beef Farmers Association in Tshidilamolomo on Saturday, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said while cattle could recover,  beef trade and export markets may not survive if the virus continued to spread.

Dr Dikoloti therefore called on all to give he fight against FMD their all, saying taking long to defeat the disease outbreak would have far-reaching consequences for the country.

He commended ongoing efforts by government and farmers, who were working tirelessly to contain the spread of the disease through repairing cordon fences, carrying out emergency vaccinations, and constructing a containment zone fence which runs from Gamalete to Werda in Kgalagadi region.

The minister highlighted however that vaccinations and the setting up of a containment zone were not enough to fight FMD, saying true biosecurity measures started with farmers at their respective kraals.

He thus encouraged farmers to continue to adopt strict biosecurity measures, including securing their herds, stopping illegal livestock movement and maintaining animal identification through tagging and branding. He also stated that farmers should ensure they know the whereabouts of their farm workers and provide workers with disinfectants.

The minister also appealed to members of the public to adhere to movement restrictions, report any signs of FMD and illegal movement of livestock. On a positive note, he informed participants that government was implementing projects that would enhance the beef value chain and create employment in the agriculture sector.

He mentioned the Beef Global Brand Initiative, describing it as a significant step forward in moving beyond merely exporting raw commodities.

He said the initiative was a strategic transformation in the way the country produced, packaged and marketed its agricultural products.

He said it would help the country develop a premium, internationally-recognised brand that would guarantee consumers of sustainably-raised and 100 per cent grass-fed premium beef.

Dr Dikoloti explained that branding Botswana beef positioned the industry to adapt to emerging trends and would assist in meeting increasingly strict export market requirements, such as the EU Deforestation Regulations.

He also highlighted another project, the Botswana Livestock Commercialisation Project, which he said was set to launch later this year, saying it aimed to commercialise livestock production including poultry and ostrich farming by providing infrastructure and reducing sector risks.

Moreover, he informed attendees at the workshop that the fodder strategy would revolutionise the livestock sector by replacing costly imported animal feed with locally produced, climate-smart high-value crops like lablab and lucerne.

Dr Dikoloti also indicated that the agriculture financing strategy, developed in partnership with  Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), would reshape sector funding by unlocking private capital, minimising financial risks and increasing investments. ENDS