30 May 2018

Central District veterinary officer, Dr Jaone Sebina has said it is important for farmers to provide livestock census and returns to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) after vaccinating their cattle.

In an interview, Dr Sebina said famers should submit returns after vaccination for accounting and auditing purposes.

This, he said would ensure that the department plans well for the next vaccination cycle.

Dr Sebina explained that DVS ceased to directly vaccinate cattle for farmers against Anthrax, Quarter Evil and Contagious Abortion in 2014.

He said this was due to logistical challenges relating to transport and human resource.

As a result, he said animal health technicians and retired animal health personnel were engaged.  

However, Dr Sebina explained that since the exercise, they had encountered challenges in the region.  

He said some farmers had failed to provide livestock census and returns to DVS.

Also, he noted that there was poor coodination and supervision of those engaged resulting in poor coverage and failure to provide necessary information.

Dr Sebina explained that farmers were to register with their extension officers and submit numbers of cattle they would want to vaccinate and would then be supplied with appropriate doses of the required vaccines.

Dr Sebina further said  training of farmers on safe handling of vaccines and other veterinary medicinal products was an ongoing exercise since 2014.

He pointed out that several workshops had been held across the district.  

In addition, he said extension officers and personnel dispensing vaccines to farmers were able to have one on one interactive training with farmers on how to handle, administer and dispose vaccines.

When asked how farmers have  responded to the development since 2014, Dr Sebina said farmers had responded positiely as it was their responsbility to ensure that their livestock were vaccinated. ENDS