 Training of farmers by extension officers with emphasis on among others, consequences and benefits of FMD control and eradication through workshops, kgotla meetings and the media. 

Review of documents during the audit highlighted that, the DVS was not adequately providing extension services to farmers particularly in communal areas. There was no documentary evidence availed during the audit, to the effect that District Offices constantly included extension programmes in their activity plans. Only kgotla meetings which were mainly on consulting farmers during FMD outbreaks or updating farmers on progress in disease eradication appeared in those plans. Despite Management confirmation that districts held workshops for farmers, no plans and reports availed at the visited districts provided evidence to that effect. This was corroborated by interviews with Technical Assistants in all the visited extension areas, who stated that due to time and transport constraints, extension services were not adequately provided for in their activity planning. While the review of documents indicated that the DVS intended to target farmers through Farmers’ Associations, it was however noted that there was no evidence of existence of such associations particularly in communal areas. The OIE Evaluation Report 40  (Botswana, April 2010) also attested to that effect where it stated that “small holder farmers are not organised in farmers associations and miss the much needed extension contact.” 

The only Farmers Associations that were evidently functional were those from cattle ranches in such areas as North West (Haina Veldt Farmers Association) and Francistown (Tati Farmers Association). During interviews with farmers from communal areas in zone 2 (Xakao, Shakawe, Maun) and Zone 6 (Matsiloje, Kalakamati), farmers decried inadequate consultation and inclusion in the Department’s fight against the FMD. Farmers stated that the DVS mostly 

