FMD Restrictions Threaten Namibia’s Peak Livestock Income Season

Namibia’s efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Zambezi Region are critical to protecting farmers’ income ahead of the peak livestock marketing season in December and January, Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani stressed.

Speaking during a visit to the affected area on Kalala Island over the weekend, Zaamwani said the restrictions imposed to control the outbreak were affecting livelihoods, making a swift containment of the disease economically important.

“We are approaching the peak season of December and January in terms of income from livestock,” she said. “And we are aware of the serious impact the restriction have on the livelihood of our people. So the sooner we get out, the better.”

The Minister’s visit included inspections at the Nakabolelwa and Luhonono checkpoints, where personnel are enforcing livestock movement restrictions to prevent the disease from spreading.

Officials raised concerns about inadequate manpower and shortages of essential materials needed to operate the checkpoints effectively. Zaamwani acknowledged the challenges and said the Ministry was addressing them urgently.

She said the virus remained confined to the outbreak’s epicentre, with no new cases reported at the time of her visit, although the buffer zone had been extended beyond a 30-kilometre radius.

The Minister said patrols would be reinforced to operate around the clock, while urging farmers and surrounding communities to cooperate with veterinary teams and comply with movement restrictions.

“The more we work together, the faster we are able to get out of the restrictions,” she said.

Zaamwani also commended the farmer who reported the suspected outbreak and praised veterinary officials and the Namibian Police for their role in implementing containment measures.

Beyond disease control, the visit highlighted infrastructure challenges that could affect emergency responses in remote farming areas. Zaamwani said flooding had prevented the response team from reaching the affected area when the first case was reported, forcing personnel to use local canoes.

She said the visit had highlighted the need for improved road infrastructure and communication networks.

The Minister said containing the outbreak would allow livestock trading to resume, helping protect farmers’ livelihoods and the wider livestock industry.

For Namibia’s livestock sector, the effectiveness of containment measures will be important in limiting disruption during a key income-generating period for farmers.