The Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with the European Union (EU) recently conducted a workshop for over 70 cattle farmers from Zone 6b, whose main objective was to equip and empower them with knowledge on animal husbandry, how to prevent and quickly detect Foot and Mouth (FMD) and other diseases.
The training came nearly two months after the government rolled out the restocking exercise in the once Foot and Mouth Disease infected zone 6b-Tati West Constituency. Five hundred and fifty-one cattle were distributed to some of the farmers by President Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi in Butale last month during the official launch.
This is what some of the farmers had to say following the training:
Sethunya Lopang Chalashika– Secretary of the Tsamaya Farmers Committee said the lessons from the workshop helped her understand how take care of their cattle better. “I appreciate the government’s effort to teach us so we understand FMD better, and how to safeguard our Zone from having outbreaks time and again. The biggest take away from the workshop is, as farmers we need to kraal to our livestock. Regularly inspect, vaccinate and treat livestock for any diseases, particularly during rainy seasons,” ended Chalashika.
Banje Moshoeshoe a cattle farmer from Butale lost her livestock twice to FMD in the year 2010 and in 2022- “I learnt of symptoms of diseases which I did not know affect cattle and which can be treated.”
“I now know the signs, symptoms and the medicines I can administer to cattle to treat. We were also encouraged to work hand in hand with personnel from Veterinary services, to be assisted with vaccinating our livestock properly. Something I learnt was the measles in cattle and how it affects the quality of the meat and affects my profits as a farmer.
Elated Emily Thulaganyo Khachana from Tshesebe gave her insights that: “I excelled very well in what we were taught. As a poultry farmer in the North East district, I learnt a lot as well; how to look after and care for poultry. My word of advice is to encourage women to venture into agribusinesses, uptake and use the government programmes which have been rolled out.”
Herbalist Amos Shangano Farmers chairperson from Ramokgwebana also weighed in “We are a zone which get hit by the foot and mouth disease every now and then. The lessons and information from this workshop will help us henceforth.” Jackalas stressed that farmers must dip their livestock.
“It is something which farmers in this Zone do not do much or regularly, and for those who dip their livestock, we only use one type of dip. We have been taught we need to change. Most diseases are caused by ticks in their various types. Ticks cause sores, making the appearance of our livestock to be unappealing”, highlighted Jackalas.
“Another factor is our closeness to the Zimbabwe border, it is a disadvantage and calls for farmers to be extra cautious. Farmers in this Zone need to keep their livestock in kraals at night, so they do not stray across into Zimbabwe and bring back diseases from there.”
Maxwell Habana – Herdsman from Tsamaya said they learnt how to control movement of cattle, how to treat sick cattle and how to prevent diseases. “We learnt how to detect diseases early and to report to relevant authorities immediately.
“This workshop was informative and educative and we really appreciate the European Union and the Botswana government for providing such a platform for us.
“You see the FMB outbreaks keep occurring every five or 10 years. My cattle were affected in 2005 and 2022. I have been empowered.”
