Livestock farmers in Likuyani Sub County have been encouraged to observe best livestock practices in order to realize increased animal production.
Speaking after donating acaricide to Lugulu cattle dip in Sango ward, Director of Research at the Kenya National Museums Dr. Evans Taracha urged farmers to use effective tick control measures to reduce animal diseases and foster quality production.
Dr. Taracha regretted that despite efforts being made by farmers in the Sub County to embrace dairy farming, some of them were losing their animals to tick borne diseases such as East Coast Fever (ECF), Anaplasmosis and Tripanosomiasis.
Dr. Taracha who earlier gave a similar donation of acaricide to Soy Sambu cattle dip has encouraged farmers to make proper use of the facilities by dipping their animals regularly to curb borne diseases.
Promising to support more cattle dips in the area, Dr. Taracha said over 60 percent of the Sub County residents depend on livestock farming for their livelihood hence there is need to give much consideration to the important sector.
“At my personal capacity I am putting a lot of emphasis in the sector to ensure that cattle dips are functional and active so that livestock production is boosted in Likuyani Sub County,” said Dr. Taracha.
He urged the dip management committee to allow farmers from the area to plunge their animals next week without any charges.
Underscoring the value of cattle dips, he said they provide maximum protection against ticks since the animal’s body is fully immersed in the pesticide.
“Unlike spraying, dipping is very effective because the pesticide gets to every part of the body where ticks hide,” said Dr. Taracha.
He added that spraying has been identified as a major pollution agent especially that almost every homestead sprays their cattle.
“Dipping is environmentally friendly because the structure is located at a strategic place which is well protected. The animals are also given time to dry before moving around hence less spread of the acaricide to the environment,” posed Dr. Taracha.
Farmers from Mawe tatu, Nyortis, St. Francis and Lugulu thanked Dr. Taracha for his philanthropic gesture of supporting various agricultural activities in the area and boosting their economy.
They said with the operation of the dip, they will avoid losses since animals joining the village from other areas shall be washed off ticks hence stopping the spread of the pests.
“With the dips, we can make it a tradition that every new cow brought to the village should be dipped to kill ticks,” said farmers.
