Foot-and-mouth disease threatens the security of entire households. It can interrupt a family’s main source of income, leave farm bills unpaid and place years of work at risk. That is why Botswana’s preparedness deserves serious public scrutiny.
At the Farmers Conference, veterinary experts questioned contingency planning, surveillance and farmer education. Their concerns call for clear answers from the authorities. What preparations were made as the disease spread in neighbouring South Africa? Were farmers told what to watch for, how to report suspected cases and which practices could put the wider industry at risk?
These questions should guide an honest review of our response. Farmers also have responsibilities, but public education must reach them in language they understand and through channels they use.
Farmers should receive regular updates explaining restrictions, reporting procedures and the conditions required for trade to resume safely.
The regional picture makes delay even more costly. SADC reports that 38.8 million people in eight member states faced acute food insecurity between October 2025 and June 2026. Its warning about the coming rainfall season demands practical preparation, including better water management and farming advice informed by climate forecasts.
For households already under pressure, another disrupted season could be devastating. Government should explain how it intends to protect production and help vulnerable families withstand interruptions to their income.
Botswana’s digital health programme offers an opportunity to strengthen another essential service. The United States has backed Botswana’s health information systems with more than US$11.9 million, combining money already spent with additional commitments. Iketse, the digital community health system, operates in 14 districts.
Its value will depend on what happens after the launch. Health workers need training, reliable connections, working equipment and support when systems fail. Information gathered in communities must reach people who can act on it.
Across agriculture and health, the same duty applies: identify risks early, prepare for them and respond before avoidable harm spreads.
Public institutions must show what they have done with warnings, funding and plans. Ministers and senior officials should set out responsibilities, delivery dates and measures of progress that citizens can follow.
There is room for international partnerships, new technology and ambitious national programmes. Their success will be measured in cattle protected, families able to earn a living and patients receiving timely care.
Botswana can build that capacity. Doing so requires steady work between emergencies, when preparation attracts fewer cameras but matters just as much.