convened Kgotla meetings at times of FMD outbreak which were mainly for providing update on the eradication of the disease rather than educational. 

According to interviews with all Principal Veterinary Officers (Heads of Stations) at the Districts visited, the inadequate provision of extension services was attributed to capacity constraints in terms of staff and transport resources. As a result of such limited farmer education and consultation, particularly in communal areas, farmers were not fully participating in combating the FMD and seemed not to fully comprehend the risks associated with FMD as evidenced by reports of vandalism of disease control infrastructure (cordon fences) and low cattle turn out at vaccination campaigns even during FMD outbreaks. 41 

Nevertheless, OAG acknowledges the efforts the DVS has made in exploring other means of farmer outreach such as TV and Radio programmes as well as consultative forums such as the Ngamiland Consultative Forum which was set up in Maun in 2012 and was fully functional at the time of audit. 

## RECOMMENDATIONS 

The OAG recommends that the DVS should: 

  Devise clear guidelines in terms of content and structure of extension programmes (relevant to FMD and other animal diseases control) targeting farmers particularly in communal areas. 

 Incorporate extension services in planning at district level and devise effective monitoring tools for extension services provided by technical officers in all extension areas. 

 Devise means of sustaining farmer organisations (like farmers associations) particularly in communal areas. 

 Incorporate a risk based farmer outreach approach into its extension programmes, as a means of ensuring prioritisation on high risk FMD zones. 

