In 1994, the Government of Botswana allocated over Stg £900,000 for control of tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans
centralis), the vector of human and bovine trypanosomiasis. The focus of Botswana's control efforts is the
Okavango Delta, an area of approximately 20,000 square kilometres, with a permanent human population of
only 2500 and where, by law, cattle are prohibited. The justification provided for such expenditure is the
potential for trypanosomiasis to return to historical levels, levels which in the early half of the 20 th century
resulted in widespread loss of domestic livestock and numerous human fatalities (Davies, 1980). Since the turn
of the century, the Botswana government has made extensive efforts to eradicate tsetse fly and eliminate
trypanosomiasis in the delta. Measures have included bush clearing, game destruction and both ground and
aerial spraying, the latter attributed with finally having brought trypanosomiasis under control. Concerns about
the environmental impacts of aerial-spraying on the fragile Okavango delta ecosystem, however, led in 1992 to a
government decision to abandon aerial spraying in favour of the more environmentally sensitive tsetse control
method of odour-baited, insecticide-impregnated targets (Vale et al., 1988).
As of 1996, there were an estimated 16,000 odour-baited targets (OBT) deployed in the Okavango Delta. To
remain effective, a target requires re-servicing approximately every four to five months (Willemse, 1991). This in
itself is problematic given seasonal flooding of the delta, not to mention the numerous targets that are frequently
damaged by wildlife (elephant), wind and fire. In addition, OBT has not always proven popular with delta-based
tour operators who have complained about the visual disturbance caused by the blue and black targets and the
presence of mobile tsetse control teams in what is marketed as one of Africa's last true wilderness areas.
Surveys for tsetse fly indicate that the fly population is increasing in the central delta (TCD, 1996). Moreover,
household census data reveals that the permanent human population within the delta increased by 155 percent
from 1981-1991. With the tourism sector injecting tens of millions of pule each year into the economy,
Botswana also has a major economic interest in maintaining the Okavango as a safe tourist destination. The
concurrent growth of tsetse fly and human populations implies increasing risk of trypanosomiasis infection.
Logistical problems related to the aquatic delta terrain, insufficient transport and limited manpower have severely
hampered efficient implementation of OBT. An alternative to the present approach to trypanosomiasis control is
collaborative partnerships between government and the private sector. To elicit private sector response to this
idea, and to assess the economic and social costs and benefits associated with alternative partnership
arrangements, a study was conducted by the Department of Animal Health and Production's Veterinary
Epidemiology and Economics Unit in collaboration with the Tsetse Control Division (TCD).