Botswana Farmer Saved as Vaccination Replaces Cattle Culls

Rebecca Dube thought her dream was dying again when Foot and Mouth Disease returned to her village in Botswana's Zone 6b. Twice before, in 2013 and 2022, authorities had wiped out her entire cattle herd to stop the disease from spreading.

The 63-year-old farmer from Jackalas No. 1 had spent years pulling herself up from poverty, selling firewood and weeding fields to save enough money for her first cow. That single animal, purchased for P3,500 (about $260), became two, then more, building a future she'd dreamed of since childhood.

Then the outbreaks came, and officials killed her cattle to protect the region's herds. Each time pushed her backward, erasing years of hard work.

When the latest outbreak hit this year, Dube braced for the worst. Her high-quality cows were about to calve for the first time since the 2022 restocking program gave her a fresh start. Losing them now, she said, would "send her to an early grave."

Then came the announcement that changed everything. This time, authorities would vaccinate the cattle instead of destroying them.

"I am elated because this time around I am not going to lose my cattle," Dube said. The relief was immediate, lifting what felt like an impossible weight from her shoulders.

Millan James, a principal technical officer at Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services, confirmed the policy shift. Officials will conduct surveillance and vaccination instead of depopulation, though the area may be declared a Red Zone similar to the Okavango and Chobe regions.

The Ripple Effect

The decision marks a turning point for farmers across Zone 6b who've endured repeated losses. Dube's story represents dozens of others who built livelihoods one animal at a time, only to watch them disappear overnight.

For Dube, cattle represent more than livestock. She quotes a Setswana proverb: "Ka e tlhoka ka tlhoka boroko, ka e rua le gone ka bo tlhoka," meaning cattle are so valuable they cost you sleep to acquire and maintain.

Her persistence has already paid off. Using proceeds from cattle sales, she bought a vehicle and now provides adequately for her family. The calves coming this year will multiply those gains.

The vaccination approach protects both disease control goals and the farmers who depend on their herds to survive. Dube can finally look forward without fear of losing everything again.