02 Mar 2014

Members of Parliament have called on Ministry of Agriculture to address the problem of Foot and Mouth Disease.

Debating the ministry’s budget estimates on February 27, the Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe who is also Leader of the House, requested the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Christiaan De Graaff to consider dividing zone seven to monitor FMD effectively.

He said consultations with farmers in the area regarding the issue were about to be completed. On other issues, he thanked the ministry for the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agricultural Development (ISPAAD) and cluster fencing at Mogapinyana.

MP for Bobirwa, Mr Shaw Kgathi supported the Vice President’s suggestion that zone seven be divided into two in order to monitor FMD. He said zone seven has been hit by FMD since 2006 and if no measures are taken to address the problem, the area will be in a permanent state of FMD.

He also expressed farmers’ concerns over the issue which has resulted in cattle being sold at P8.00 per kilogram, calling for rectification.

He also said there is a problem of elephants which destroy farmers’ crops hence a need for Wildlife department to address the problem.

For his part MP for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu supported the budget saying it will help maintain cordon fences which are not in good condition.

He also wished Mr De Graaff success in his effort to look for other international markets for beef other than European Union.

MP Tati East, Mr Guma Moyo raised concerns over zone six, which he said contributed to poverty in that area. He said when re-stocking was done, some farmers in the area did not take the cattle because of the FMD problem.He said it is therefore critical for the country to relate well with the neighbouring Zimbabwe and constantly deliberate on the issue because some infected livestock cross the border into Botswana.

Mr Moyo further said the agriculture sector is critical for growing the economy as such should look at mega projects which will ensure food security.

He said government should only develop the infrastructure and leave the private sector to drive the agricultural sector.

MP for Serowe South, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi raised concern over delay of payments to tractor owners under the ISPAAD programme.

She said because of the delays, tractor owners have not been able to provide service to farmers as such some farmers have not been able to plant.

She requested Mr De Graaff to consider developing Mogatsapoo service centre which she said serves five constituencies. She also requested for more dams in her area to assist farmers.

MP for Ngami, Mr Taolo Habano said Ngamiland is a unique area with wildlife, as such controlling FMD poses a challenge.

He said FMD has been in that area for a long time hence the introduction of quarantines, which are currently not in use.

MP for Maun East, Mr Frank Ramsden called for maintenance of buffer fences which he said are in a bad state because of wildlife movement.

He said if not addressed the country will fail the European Union inspection.

He said ministry of agriculture and that of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism should deliberate on the issue so that the two ministries do not seem to oppose one another. He said farmers in his area will not be able to grow cereals because of wildlife problem.

MP for Kgalagadi South, Mr John Toto said the ministry should do something about under-utilised farms allocated at Molopo.

He said the ministry should ensure that those allocated farms develop them.

MP for Tswapong North, Mr Prince Maele called for increase of agricultural extension officers in his area.

He also requested Mr De Graaff to assist with de-silting agricultural dams in his areas so that farmers do not use potable water to water their livestock.

He also requested for a cattle loading facility nearer to his area because the one at Serule is far and costly for farmers to transport their livestock.

MP for Kgalagadi North, Mr Phillip Khwae said the local market is important, therefore the ministry of agriculture should ensure that the local market is up to standard. ENDS