19 Oct 2026

Private-sector support is strengthening the fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), with four organisations donating supplies worth P77,377 to assist frontline personnel and reinforce disease control operations.

Statistics Botswana, Irio Solutions, Senn Foods and Clean All Services made the contributions in support of the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture’s efforts to contain the disease and protect the country’s livestock industry.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Gaborone recently, Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Mr Motsamai Motsamai, said partnerships between government and the private sector were essential in addressing the threat posed by FMD.

“Foot and Mouth Disease remains a serious animal health challenge that requires a coordinated, sustained and multi-sectoral response,” he said.

Mr Motsamai noted that the disease’s consequences extended beyond livestock, threatening meat production, trade, employment and the livelihoods of communities dependent on animal farming.

The donations are expected to support personnel working under demanding conditions while strengthening operational capacity across affected areas.

Statistics Botswana contributed 1 200 bottles of snake repellent valued at P24 000. Mr Motsamai said the supplies had already been collected and distributed to Goodhope and Kgatleng, to improve the safety of personnel conducting field operations.

Irio Solutions donated veterinary disinfectant and knapsack sprayers worth about P4 850, to strengthen biosecurity and reduce the risk of disease transmission between livestock and farms.

Senn Foods contributed canned meat valued at P45 725, to support veterinary officers, field teams and other personnel involved in the response while Clean All Services donated detergents worth P2 800 to promote cleanliness and hygiene at operational facilities.

Mr Motsamai said the contributions would complement existing interventions, including disease surveillance, vaccination where applicable, livestock movement controls, biosecurity measures and public awareness campaigns.

However, he cautioned that donations alone would not be sufficient to eliminate the disease, stressing that their impact depended on compliance with veterinary regulations.

“Donations alone cannot eliminate the disease,” he said, urging farmers and livestock owners to observe movement restrictions, report suspected cases promptly and cooperate with veterinary teams. He warned that a single breach of disease control measures could undermine collective efforts and expose other herds and communities to infection.

Mr Motsamai also called on more businesses, institutions and stakeholders to support the national response, emphasising that safeguarding the livestock sector required shared responsibility. ENDS