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Beef farmers in Itezhi Tezhi district, Southern Province have lost over K120, 000 of income due to Fascioliasis, a disease of cattle caused by liver flukes.
The Abattior Surveillance conducted by the Department of Veterinary Services in three local Abattoirs in ltezhi Tezhi indicated that a total of 307 cattle and 311 goat livers were condemned as a result of liver fluke infestation.
This is according to Itezhi Tezhi Member of Parliament Twaambo Mutinta, in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Mutinta stated that a total of 153 cattle and 176 lungs in goats were condemned due to the presence of tubercules, a sign of bovine tuberculosis.
“The vast and large expanse of the Kafue flats provide enough grazing pasture for livestock especially cattle. On the other hand, the same flood plains are conducive for liver fluke breeding.
“This possess a danger to livestock production. The law maker further observed that this problem provides an opportunity for the Department of Veterinary Services in ltezhi tezhi to continuously carry out disease control extension services to livestock farmers in the district,” he said.
Mutinta observed the need for more sensitisation campaigns in all wards to educate livestock farmers on the importance of deworming.
Through CDF, he said, itezhi Tezhi district would continue to invest in the sector through supporting in putting up disease control infrastructure such as dip tanks and construction of camp housing units for veterinary assistants.
“Government takes livestock as a priority sector through which rural economic growth and alleviation of poverty could be enhanced. It is the desire of government to ensure increased livestock production and productivity in rural communities,” Mutinta said.
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