An investigation into the economic impact of creating a foot and mouth disease free zone in the Central North of Namibia

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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate into the economic impact of creating a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) free zone in the central north ofNamibia. A Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) is a large-scale fence-line constructed for the purpose of controlling livestock contagious diseases such as FMD. Lucrative international meat export markets are the main reason countries come up with and protect FMD free zones. Namibia has VCF running across the country from east to west almost dividing the country in the middle. The beef products from the Northern VCF (NVCF) are not allowed to cross the VCF to the Southern parts of the country because the Southern VCF (SVCF) area is regarded as a FMD free zone while the NVCF area is regarded as a FMD infected zone. Currently, Namibia international beef markets do not buy beef products from the NVCF-FMD infected zone. As a result, farmers from the NVCF are complaining that the current situation prevents them from benefitting from the lucrative export beef market as compared to farmers in the South. This study adopted the explanatory research design focusing on desk research. The results of the study showed a statistically significant increase (P<O.OS) on average price and revenue for the proposed new FMD free zone compared to maintaining the FMD protection zone. Based on the result, it can be concluded that creating a new FMD free zone in the central north is economically viable, with the economic benefits outweighing the costs over the long term. Since this study was limited to the economic impact of creating a new FMD free zone confined to the direct income from selling cattle and excluded other monetary and non-monetary benefits such as milk, hides, employment creation, contribution to GDP and levy; a comprehensive study is fUJther recommended to include these aspects so as to arrive at a better conclusion
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (Management Strategy)
Keywords
Economic impact, Foot and mouth disease, Namibia, University of Namibia
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