FMD threat: Lobatse grinds to a halt
Friday, April 15, 2016
Butcheries here are running on empty. Many have resorted to selling chicken. Some have given up and placed their fate in the hands of those at the centre of the issue.
In the space of a week, the country’s oldest town, whose economy relies heavily on the beef ranches surrounding it, is looking down the barrel of a gun. With the suspension of cattle movements and beef exports due to the encroachment of buffalo elsewhere in Zone 11, Lobatse’s beef industry has been frozen.
The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...