Performance Audit Report on the Control of F MD  Training of farmers by extension officers with emphasis on among others,  consequences and benefits of FMD control and eradication through  workshops, kgotla meetings and the media.  Review of documents during the audit highlighted that, the DVS was not  adequately providing extension services to farmers particularly in communal  areas. There was no documentary evidence availed during the audit, to the effect  that District Offices constantly included extension programmes in their activity  plans. Only kgotla meetings which were mainly on consulting farmers during  FMD outbreaks or updating farmers on progress in disease eradication appeared  in those plans. Despite Management confirmation that districts held workshops  for farmers, no plans and reports availed at the visited districts provided evidence  to that effect. This was corroborated by interviews with Technical Assistants in  all the visited extension areas, who stated that due to time and transport  constraints, extension services were not adequately provided for in their activity  planning. While the review of documents indicated that the DVS intended to  target farmers through Farmers’ Associations, it was however noted that there  was no evidence of existence of such associations particularly in communal  areas. The OIE Evaluation Report 40  (Botswana, April 2010) also attested to that  effect where it stated that “small holder farmers are not organised in farmers  associations and miss the much needed extension contact.”  The only Farmers Associations that were evidently functional were those from  cattle ranches in such areas as North West (Haina Veldt Farmers Association)  and Francistown (Tati Farmers Association). During interviews with farmers  from communal areas in zone 2 (Xakao, Shakawe, Maun) and Zone 6 (Matsiloje,  Kalakamati), farmers decried inadequate consultation and inclusion in the  Department’s fight against the FMD. Farmers stated that the DVS mostly  $^{40}$ OIE Tool for the evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services: PVS Evaluation Report (Page 78): Botswana,  April 2010.  47 |  P a g e