In an effort to ensure that the livestock sector registers growth, Government has delivered 365,000 doses of foot -and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine in Southern Province.
FMD is a contagious viral disease that affects livestock species such as cattle, sheep, and pigs.
In an effort to promote animal health and prevent the trans-boundary transmission of diseases, Government has allocated K30 million for the construction of dip tanks and K10 million for the cordon line in the 2017 national budget.
According to a Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) weekly brief, Government has therefore called on farmers to be proactive in vaccinating their animals if the disease is to be wiped out in the province, which is a high-risk zone for FMD.
“Farmers in Southern Province have commended Government for the timely delivery of the 365,000 doses of FMD vaccine to tackle the disease in the area,” the union says.
A check conducted by ZNFU in Sesheke confirmed that the district veterinary department has embarked on a robust vaccination programme against FMD in the district with most agricultural camps having been covered.
Meanwhile, the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission in Chavuma has increased its scope in the area to enable farmers’ access to loans for rice production and fish farming activities.
