NWU farm manager reflects on economic impact of foot and mouth disease outbreak
Phenyo Mokgothu
South Africa is presently experiencing an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) on farms and communal areas in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West and Gauteng.
Hannes Lombard, manager of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) farm in Mahikeng, says the outbreak of FMD in the country has a big impact on the poorest people who are directly dependent on their livestock.
“FMD reduces herd fertility, leading to less efficient herd structures and lower livestock productivity, which in turn affects food security.