Africa-Press – Botswana. Farmers in zone 6b have been advised to prepare for depopulation of their cattle, which will commence in the near future.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao, said this in Jackalas 1 on Monday during a meeting with departments involved in the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control.
After a successful mission to control the disease since its detection last year September, the minister said those affected were still not satisfied with the way government chose to curb the disease.
“This is a sensitive issue which makes it extremely relevant to engage with those affected and ready them for parting with their livestock,” he said.
He said even though there were challenges, everyone played significant role by contributing towards the disease control. Botswana remained known for being effective in fighting such crises, he quipped.
The agricultural minister said even though the outbreak of FMD was sudden and unplanned, government rose to the challenge with limited resources and managed to control the disease.
“It was not easy but we have set an example to the neighboring countries on how seriously we intend to keep our country FMD free,” he added.
District Agricultural Coordinator, Mr Gwilizani Maposa said the danger of false information continued to inflict anger on those affected. He said the media and relevant departments should inform and educate people on guidelines to be taken as precaution.
He said some farmers abandoned their livestock believing they had already lost it to depopulation, forgetting that depopulation would have compensation for every single livestock.
“We have lost a significant number of cattle during festive season due to unattended livestock that now roam the streets,” he said.
Acting Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Kefentse Motshegwa said the process of depopulation would take place within two months depending on logistics. He confirmed that besides cattle, no other four legged animal had been detected with FMD.
“Even though we have assurance that the disease is now under control, it does not eliminate the possibilities of it spreading, which is why the control staff will continue with it’s duties,” he said.
Dr Motshegwa applauded residents for cooperating with the government right from the beginning by announcing the symptoms at an early stage.
He said this made it possible to curb the disease in such a short period of time. The control staff pleaded with the minister to attend to issues of shortage of protective clothing.
Later the minister toured the kraal in Butale which is currently under construction to hold livestock to be depopulated.
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