The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, has introduced a new livestock vaccination policy aimed at controlling the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) across the country.
Speaking during an engagement with farmers, local leaders and extension workers in Kayunga District, the National Coordinator for FMD Control at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Dr Ben Ssenkeera, said livestock vaccination against FMD will now be compulsory for all farmers.
Dr Ssenkeera explained that farmers will be required to contribute Shs8,000 per cow and Shs4,000 per goat or sheep for vaccination, which will be conducted twice a year.
He said the new policy is intended to strengthen disease control measures and reduce losses caused by repeated outbreaks of FMD.
“Vaccination of animals is now compulsory because government wants to eliminate persistent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease that continue affecting farmers’ incomes,” Dr Ssenkeera said.
He added that the contribution by farmers would help government sustain regular immunisation programmes across the country.
“Farmers will contribute Shs8,000 for every cow and Shs4,000 for goats and sheep per vaccination cycle. This exercise will be done twice annually,” he explained.
Dr Ssenkeera further urged farmers to cooperate with veterinary officers and ensure all animals are vaccinated on schedule.
“When farmers vaccinate all animals at the same time, we shall reduce treatment costs, improve animal health and increase access to better markets,” he added.
Local leaders welcomed the move, saying the policy would help protect farmers from heavy losses caused by livestock disease outbreaks.
Some farmers, however, appealed to government to ensure vaccines are available on time and that veterinary services are extended closer to rural communities to ease implementation of the programme.
