By Maile Matsimela

South Africa has recently experienced significant foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks across five provinces, resulting in the establishment of Disease Management Areas (DMAs) and strict restrictions on livestock movement. These measures, while necessary to control the spread of the disease, have placed tremendous pressure on livestock farmers throughout the country, with small-scale and communal black farmers bearing a disproportionate burden.

The National Livestock Farmers Association of South Africa (NaLFA-SA) represents many of these affected farmers and offers unique insights into the challenges they face. In this exclusive interview, African Farming digital editor Maile Matsimela speaks with Ndivhuho Neville Phungo, Secretary of NaLFA-SA, about the impact of these outbreaks on the organisation’s members, the structural challenges hindering disease control, and potential solutions for building greater resilience in the sector.

The following Q&A highlights critical issues, including biosecurity limitations in communal grazing areas, economic hardship faced by small-scale farmers, infrastructure gaps, and the apparent lack of government support during this crisis.

FMD outbreak

Q: Are most of our black farmers fully aware of current FMD protocols?
A: Yes, for those who are on their own farms with secured fences it is easier to quarantine if they are affected or to practice phytosanitary measures that protect their livestock but those in commonages are vulnerable because the infected livestock become vectors for the disease and ultimately infect those they grace with.

Q: How well do members/farmers understand the “red line” boundaries that restrict livestock movement?
A: Our members know where the red line boundaries are. The reason the restricted movement may not be adhered to all the times may be that farmers are hard pressed to sell and at the moment they cannot sell within their own area as it is a DMA.

Q: What are the main reasons some farmers might not be following biosecurity measures?
A: It is almost impossible to practice biosecurity measures in a commonage where there are no entry and exit points and animals roam freely.

Economic impact

Q: How severely has the FMD outbreak affected farmers’ ability to sell their livestock?
A: It has had devastating effects as it has disrupted farmers’ cashflow and added a burden of having to feed livestock that could have been sold off.

Q: What has been the estimated financial loss to small-scale black farmers?
A: Unfortunately, we do not have details on this at the moment.

Q: Have members found alternative income sources during the restrictions?
A: No, as far as we know there is no ringfenced fund to mitigate the effects of FMD.

Infrastructure and resources

Q: Do communal farmers have adequate facilities for biosecurity measures like disinfection?
A: No.

Q: What percentage have proper isolation facilities for newly purchased animals?
A: Almost 0%.

Q: What specific infrastructure gaps need addressing to help with compliance?
A: Each farmer’s animals need to be on their own farm. Then 80% of the immediate problems will be solved.

Government support

Q: What specific assistance has the government provided to affected black farmers?
A: Up to so far, none.

Q: Is there any financial relief given to small-scale and communal farmers who are unable to sell their cattle for now?
A: No.

Q: What additional interventions would mostly help farmers/members during this crisis?
A: Farmers could be subsidised in their current farming operations. That would go a long way in absorbing unforeseen disasters such as FMD.

Future planning

Q: What measures is the Association taking to better prepare for future outbreaks?
A: We have established a WhatsApp group for all livestock farmers; not just our group. The WhatsApp group communicates all the restrictions in real time and give pointers on how farmers can protect themselves.

Q: How can traditional farming practices incorporate better biosecurity measures?
A: Not sure.

Q: What partnerships would strengthen resilience against future disease outbreaks?
A: All livestock farmers across the race, economic and class spectrum need to be working together and attending the same forums since all the produce end up with the same consumer.