News / Africa
Zimbabweans are more cooperative than Batswana: De Graaf
31 Jul 2011 at 10:38hrs | Views
Zimbabwean communities are more cooperative than Batswana in the fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Botswana's Minister of Agriculture, Christian De Graaf told a media gathering yesterday.
The minister said that the Zimbabwean communities along the Botswana-Zimbabwe border fence have shown their commitment in working with the government while locals have been reluctant on issues concerning the disease.
"We attended meetings with their leaders, communities and veterinary officers and they were very cooperative. I wish our people could learn from the Zimbabwean people and I want to take some people there just to go and see how others do things," he said.
He urged Batswana to recognise the importance of the matter and join government in the fight against the disease. He said that it is important that villagers play their part in the fight since the government cannot fight the disease alone.
The minister said that villagers should also guard the border fence, which he said is in a good state besides the fact that illegal immigrants keep cutting it while crossing into the country to look for jobs as herdboys. "Leaders and some villagers have told us in our kgotla meetings that they are certain that it is some farmers and illegal immigrants who cut the fence. These illegal immigrants bring the disease along with them as they get in and out of the country on a daily basis," he said.
He added that they have members of the police service and the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) guarding the fence. The minister said that they are continuing to transport some cattle from Zone Six to Zimbabwe.
Botswana is selling uninfected animals from the zone to Zimbabwe. He said that the Zimbabweans have so far indicated their commitment to the exercise, and wanted about 500 cattle a day.
However, they are limited due to lack of transport. They have now engaged Botswana transporters whose commitment is disappointing. He said they are unreliable since they come late for appointments.
The minister said that the Zimbabwean communities along the Botswana-Zimbabwe border fence have shown their commitment in working with the government while locals have been reluctant on issues concerning the disease.
"We attended meetings with their leaders, communities and veterinary officers and they were very cooperative. I wish our people could learn from the Zimbabwean people and I want to take some people there just to go and see how others do things," he said.
He urged Batswana to recognise the importance of the matter and join government in the fight against the disease. He said that it is important that villagers play their part in the fight since the government cannot fight the disease alone.
The minister said that villagers should also guard the border fence, which he said is in a good state besides the fact that illegal immigrants keep cutting it while crossing into the country to look for jobs as herdboys. "Leaders and some villagers have told us in our kgotla meetings that they are certain that it is some farmers and illegal immigrants who cut the fence. These illegal immigrants bring the disease along with them as they get in and out of the country on a daily basis," he said.
He added that they have members of the police service and the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) guarding the fence. The minister said that they are continuing to transport some cattle from Zone Six to Zimbabwe.
Botswana is selling uninfected animals from the zone to Zimbabwe. He said that the Zimbabweans have so far indicated their commitment to the exercise, and wanted about 500 cattle a day.
However, they are limited due to lack of transport. They have now engaged Botswana transporters whose commitment is disappointing. He said they are unreliable since they come late for appointments.
Source - mnengi
