By Lawrence Kabutu

MAZABUKA District Commissioner Oliver Mulomba has disclosed that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Mazabuka has carried out a 100 per cent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination of cattle against the disease.

Mr. Mulomba was briefing Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Mokozo Chikote in Chief Mwanachingwala’s chiefdom in Mazabuka during the Live Cattle Grading Mobile Application launch organised by Solidaridad Southern Africa.

The District Commissioner commended the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Staff in the district for carrying out a successful FMD vaccination programme.

‘’We are doing commendably well in terms of Livestock in the district, i am saying saw because we have successfully done the FMD programme of vaccination. For the first time in the history of Zambia Mazabuka district was able to do 100 per cent in terms of FMD vaccinations,’’ said Mr. Mulomba.

Mr. Mulomba further stated that the district has also received doses of East Coast Fever vaccines from the Ministry Headquarters in Lusaka to commence the vaccination of cattle against corridor disease.

He stated that members of staff in the ministry of Fisheries and Livestock were already on the ground sensitising farmers on the importance of vaccinating their cattle against East Coast Fever commonly known as corridor in Southern Province.

‘’As i am speaking right now your members of staff under your ministry are already on the ground in the district sensitising farmers about the importance of vaccinating cattle against East Coast Fever popularly known as Corridor or Denkete in Southern Province,’’ noted Mr. Mulomba.

Mr. Mulomba stressed that the vaccination of cattle against East Coast Fever has proven beyond reasonable doubt that it is effective as animals can not die mysteriously.

‘’Even when the animal is affected by the disease, once vaccinated and you give it Oxyject or any other antibiotic it quickly responds,’’ stated Mr. Mulomba.

And Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Makozo Chikote expressed happiness with President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment in Service delivery to all Zambians.

Mr. Chikote noted that cattle production is an important part of livelihoods in Zambia especially among rural communities.

The minister said out of the approximately 3.5 million herds of cattle in Zambia, 1.2 million are in Southern Province.

Mr. Chikote urged farmers to adhere to conditions put in place by the New Dawn government of President Hichilema for the livestock sector to reach higher heights.

Magoya Member of Parliament Mweemba Malambo thanked Solidaridad Southern Africa for constructing a spray race and market centre in Itebe area of Mazabuka.

‘’This massive investment by Solidaridad will keep at bay ticks that have been ravaging our cattle. I know that once we control the ticks, tick born diseases in livestock will be eradicated,’’ Said Mr. Malambo.

Mr. Malambo told the minister that his area is endowed with 8 fishing camps that can be developed to enhance the fisheries sector.

He however bemoaned the critical shortage of water covering the whole of Itebe Ward in Mazabuka for livestock.

Mr. Malambo implored government to consider constructing two large dams in the area to alleviate the water crisis for livestock.

He further pointed out that the other challenge experienced in the area is the deplorable Itebe road that requires rehabilitation before the onset of the rain season.

Mr. Malambo explained that the Itebe road is a viable economic road leading to high milk production area.