The European Union has made it possible for farmers under the Uganda Meat Producers Cooperative Union Ltd, to sigh with relief as efforts to control animal disease in their areas are being stepped up. Over 2000 cattle in UMPCU’s operational areas have been dewormed, and acaricides distributed under the Farmer Led Beef Livestock Investment and Sustainability Project (FALBIIS), which came into effect on October 2018.
The project is promoting animal disease control through collaboration with local governments and private animal health services for vaccination and vector control. It is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), under an E.U funded project; Developing a Market-Oriented and Environmentally Sustainable Beef Meat Industry in Uganda (MOBIP).
So far, twenty-five farmers who are direct project beneficiaries have received 448 farm extension visits from UMPCU veterinary doctors and animal husbandry assistants. Over 866 cattle have been screened for diseases including worm infestation, brucellosis, anaplasmosis and East Coast Fever (ECF). About 104 litres of acaricides have been distributed and 2,084 cattle dewormed.
In the image below, happy farmers from Wabinyonyi Meat Producers Cooperative society in Nakasongola district; receive drugs (dewormers) for their cattle. The Chairman UMPCU Executive (in navy blue shirt), Eng. Robert Ssenozi had the opportunity to hand over the drugs, together with the Assistant Livestock Resource Centre Manager for Butalangu in Nakaseke district; Ms. Lakeri Abwoga.
