Africa-Press – Botswana. Government will spend approximately P74 million for compensation and restocking in an exercise geared towards eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the North East District’s zone 6b.
The zone covers villages of Butale (the epicenter of the disease), Tsamaya, Siviya, Mabudzane, Jackalas No 1, Jackalas No 2, Ramokgwebana and Senyawe villages. Acting deputy director (Disease Control) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Bernard Mbeha said in a recent interview that as at March 18, government had spent P759 000 in compensation to 271 farmers.
He said 2 784 cattle had so far been rounded up and 2 701 of them had been sent to Maun abattoir for slaughter.
Dr Mbeha explained that currently the ministry was working on 220 compensation files.
However, he said compensation files continued to trickle in on a daily basis with the result payments also processed daily.
Government has made a final decision to depopulate and compensate each farmer P3 000 per beast for the slaughter of all the 10 000 FMD infected cattle in Zone 6b. Initially, government had said each farmer would receive P2 840 per beast, but the rate was increased after farmers called for a review of the compensation rate saying it was very low.
In addition, the bulk of proceeds from the sale of the meat would be given back to farmers, while government would only deduct transportion expenses cattle from affected areas to the abattoir.
The meat from the infected animals would be canned and sold locally to ensure complete eradication of the virus.
Meanwhile, Government has given farmers in the southern part of Zone 6b, namely Matsiloje, Matshelagabedi and Matopi villages the green light to trade with their animals subject to approval by veterinary department.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
