Tonota District Council issues warning on crop pest outbreaks
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Wednesday March 11, 2026 09:55
Addressing the recent full council session, Tonota District Council chairperson Neo Sefume stated that numerous farmers have reported pests damaging crops across the district, and advisory services on the management of pests have been provided.
He stated that there are reports on different grasshoppers attacking different crops, grain-eating quelea birds, aphids in cowpeas/beans, different weeds invasion, fruit flies leading to fruit falling and decay, just to mention a few. He indicated that currently the department will intensify surveillance during the coming month across the district in order to make early pest detection and/or recommend/employ control measures.
He further said that numerous farmers have reported pests damaging crops across the district, and advisory services on the management of pests have been provided. On another note regarding animal production, Sefume stated that poultry meat production exceeded the target, reaching 1,560.17 tonnes against a target of 1,164.975 tonnes. This is a significant improvement from the previous year, he added.
He further said that the beef production rose dramatically to 82.46 tonnes, largely due to the establishment of Thekwane Abattoir in Semotswane. However, he said that egg production declined, and piggery continues to struggle due to a lack of local abattoirs. Additionally, Sefume said that despite improved beef performance, no cattle were sent to Botswana Meat Commission during the reporting period due to non-registration of holdings, a matter requiring urgent compliance by farmers.
Regarding the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, he said that the prevention measures include the prohibition of transportation, movement, or slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals, including for personal consumption or social events (such as weddings, funerals, and other family engagements), countrywide except in zones 1 (Chobe) and 2 (Ngamiland). He appreciated all stakeholders who are taking part in maintaining crushes and cordon fences that are used in combating the spread of the Foot and Mouth pandemic.
“Our Ipelegeng team has also been deployed to reinstate the cordon fence along the A1 road, starting at Gojwane, going towards Foley Village. This is also augmented by the efforts of the farmers who have taken it upon themselves to contribute by maintaining the same fence in Serule towards Gojwane village,” he continued.
He urged people to abide by the set rules to prevent the spread of the pandemic because cattle production and rearing are still a significant livelihood for most of the citizenry.
On another note, he said that the Botswana Animal Identification and Traceability System (BAITS) is a cutting-edge government initiative designed to empower farmers with a seamless platform for managing their livestock information.
Therefore, he implored all cattle farmers to register their kraals in the BAITS system so that they can be able to migrate from BAITS 2 to BAITS 3.
Tonota district is continuing with registration of holdings, and farmers are encouraged to come forward to register in order to be EU compliant, he added.
He stated that EU complaint holdings are allowed to sell their cattle to the EU market.
“Currently, we have one operational BAITS Cafe in Tonota covering the Tonota district whose main aim is to assist farmers without access to the internet to capture their cattle on the BAITS system, and other BAITS activities,” he added.
He stated that farmers can also access BAITS services from other BAITS agents across the country.