Farming communities in Namibia's Omaheke Region have welcomed Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform engagements on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) prevention.

The sessions targeted the Otjombinde and Otjinene constituencies, where farmers acknowledged the campaign's importance. 

They highlighted FMD's threat to livestock marketing and agricultural products, urging stricter border controls, routine patrols, and enhanced biosecurity.

Klipaar village farmer Cross Murangi said, "This is a very dangerous disease. We've been informed about how it spreads and how to control it. Now it's up to us to stay alert and prevent it from entering our country at all costs."

Otjomisaona village farmer Abia Kamberipa added. "Today, we received the necessary information on FMD. If an outbreak occurs here, we'll suffer greatly as farmers. We didn't have much information about this disease before."

Otjinene State Veterinarian Dr. Paaka Kapimbua explained that "The ministry's initiative under the Directorate of Veterinary Services aims to raise FMD awareness due to threats from neighbouring countries." It also sensitises farmers about the veterinary fence."

Epukiro and Otjombinde State Veterinarian Dr. Seuakouje Veii emphasised the importance the government places on this campaign. "Government is taking this seriously. We're rehabilitating the fence with teams from Kamanjab and Outjo. All veterinary officials gathered to help prevent spillover from other countries near our borders."

No suspected or confirmed FMD cases have been reported in Namibia to date.