Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, has assured farmers in Shakawe and surrounding areas that it remains committed to repairing dilapidated sections of cordon fences and constructing new ones where necessary.
This comes as farmers in Shakawe raise serious concerns over the deteriorating condition of the district’s cordon fences, warning that poor maintenance increases the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) spreading among livestock.
The concerns were raised during a Foot and Mouth Disease awareness meeting held at the Shakawe Kgotla, where officials from the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture met with farmers as part of a nationwide campaign to strengthen disease prevention and control.
The meeting brought together livestock farmers from across Ngamiland, who utilized the opportunity to voice challenges affecting the livestock sector, with the condition of the cordon fence topping their list of concerns.
A Shakawe farmer, Morulaganyi Dinyando, said the cordon fence, which is designed to control livestock movement and prevent the spread of animal diseases, has sections that have not been properly maintained, leaving livestock vulnerable to uncontrolled movement and increasing the likelihood of disease outbreaks.
Responding to these concerns, Chief Scientific Officer Mbaakanyi Gubungano acknowledged that limited resources have affected the overall maintenance of the fence infrastructure.
He also announced that regular livestock vaccination programmes in the area will resume as part of efforts to strengthen disease prevention and improve the health of the national herd. Gubungano urged farmers to continue following all disease control measures, stating that cooperation from livestock owners remains critical to protecting Botswana’s livestock industry.
For his part, the Member of Parliament for Okavango West, Kenny Kapinga, called on farmers and community members to fully comply with Foot and Mouth Disease regulations to help protect one of the country’s most important economic sectors. He stressed that adherence to movement restrictions and other disease control measures plays a key role in reducing the spread of FMD.
Kapinga also encouraged farmers to establish and strengthen farming associations, saying organized groups would be better positioned to engage government and other stakeholders on issues affecting the livestock industry. He noted that working together would enable farmers to address common challenges more effectively and improve opportunities within the sector.
The Shakawe meeting forms part of the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture’s ongoing nationwide awareness campaign aimed at educating farming communities about Foot and Mouth Disease prevention, strengthening collaboration between government and livestock producers, and safeguarding Botswana’s livestock industry against future outbreaks.
