Mmegi

FMD crisis: A tale of two countries

Torn down: The border fence has broken down, allowing people, vehicles and animals through with ease PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Torn down: The border fence has broken down, allowing people, vehicles and animals through with ease PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

The FMD crisis in North East District is a tale of two countries, with Zimbabwe's cattle posing a significant threat to Botswana's livestock industry. Mmegi journalists, LESEDI MKHUTSHWA, LARONA MAKHAIZA & KENNEDY RAMOKONE, visited leaders in Jackalas No.1 for insight on the dynamics

JACKALAS NO. 1: In the heart of Jackalas 1, the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) crisis has brought livestock farming to a grinding halt. The community is reeling from the devastating impact of the disease, which has spread rapidly across the border from Zimbabwe. With the border fence destroyed, cattle are roaming freely, infecting healthy animals and spreading the disease further.

In an interview with a Mmegi news crew, Jackalas 1 Farmers' committee chairperson, Dignity Mtombeni, highlighted the challenges posed by the destroyed border fence, which allows for unrestricted movement of people and animals between Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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