Namibia Launches Farmer Training to Combat Livestock Disease CBPP in Northern Regions
Namibia
In an effort to curb the spread of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), a devastating cattle lung disease, the Namibian government has launched a farmer training program in the country’s northern regions, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform on Thursday.
The training program, which is being rolled out in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aims to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, prevent, and control CBPP outbreaks.
“This training program is crucial in our fight against CBPP, which has the potential to devastate Namibia’s livestock industry,” said Muahafa Katjikua, Namibia’s Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. “By empowering our farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills, we can effectively prevent the spread of this disease and protect the livelihoods of our rural communities.”
CBPP is a highly contagious bacterial disease that primarily affects cattle, causing severe respiratory illness, fever, and often death. The disease can have a significant economic impact on affected countries, leading to livestock production losses, trade restrictions, and reduced income for farmers.
“The early detection and reporting of CBPP cases is essential for controlling the spread of the disease,” said FAO Namibia Representative, Farayi Tome. “This training program will equip farmers with the ability to identify the signs and symptoms of CBPP, allowing them to report suspected cases to the authorities promptly.”
The training program will cover a range of topics, including the identification of CBPP signs and symptoms, biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease, vaccination protocols, and reporting procedures. The program is expected to train hundreds of farmers in the northern regions of Namibia, which are particularly vulnerable to CBPP outbreaks due to their proximity to neighboring countries where the disease is endemic.
“We are grateful for the support of FAO in this important initiative,” said Katjikua. “This training program will play a vital role in protecting our livestock industry and ensuring the food security of our nation.”
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