Sprodeta and Chitipa District Council have intensified awareness campaigns on the importance of cattle farmers to utilise dip tanks in their areas.
Sprodeta nutrition, gender and social inclusion project officer Grace Khonje said this on Wednesday at Lufita Extension Planning Area (EPA) in the district.
dip tanks. | Aliko Munde, Mana
She said they are implementing a two-year Beef Value Chain (BVC) Project, targeting 6 350 cattle farmers in Chisenga and Lufita EPAs in the district.
“We are promoting the use of dip tanks as one way of reducing diseases. We have just rehabilitated the dip tanks at Chinunkha and we urge farmers to start using the dip tanks,” said Khonje.
She also advised farmers to construct proper kraals for their animals to be healthy.
“Farmers should also start storing feed now for future use. Proper feeding improves the animal’s weight which helps to fetch good prices,” she said.
Khonje said the project also seeks to link farmers to potential buyers such as chain stores.
Chitipa District Council livestock officer Chikondi Gondwe said the sensitisation campaign is important because the council wants the animals to be healthy.
He said: “We want quality animals that will be good for business.
“Most farmers keep animals for prestige, but we want our farmers to realise that livestock farming is a business.”
Gondwe advised people not to eat dead animals.
“We want farmers to know about zoonosis diseases such as rabies and tuberculosis, which can be transmitted to humans if you consume the meat of the affected animals,” he said.
Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (Trade) is funding the BVC Project to the tune of K200 million.
Trade is also supporting livestock farming in Karonga District.
