A Survey Of Cattle Diseases In Shamva District, Mashonaland Central.
- Author
- Shadreck Magorimbo
- Title
- A Survey Of Cattle Diseases In Shamva District, Mashonaland Central.
- Abstract
-
Abstract
The study was conducted to assess cattle diseases affecting farmers in Shamva district in Zimbabwe. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 250 farmers that were randomly selected from cattle owners in 5 wards.The data was analysed using SPSS. The results indicated that a lot of diseases are prevalent in Shamva district. The include tick borne diseases are the most prevalent diseases in Shamva district with the infamous Theileriosis toping the list. FMD, Lumpy skin and Blackleg are also prevalent in Shamva district. Some diseases of cattle which are also prevalent in Shamva district are Mastitis, Bovine babesiosis, Contagious opthalmia, Hardware disease and Warts though to a lesser extent. Tick borne diseases were the major causes of death with Theileriosis being the major cause of death of cattle in Shamva district followed by Lumpy skin. Dermatophilosis and FMD are also causing cattle deaths in Shamva district. Government should therefore channel funds towards the control of tickborne diseases. This entails investment in extension and dipping as preventative measures and antibiotics as a curative measure. NGOs may also intervene by supporting goverment efforts of ensuring effective dipping of cattle to avoid losses due to tick borne diseases. . There must be awareness campaigns and effective law enforcement to discourage animal movement to minimize cases of FMD. However, there is need for learning and research institutions to prioritise research in prevention and control of cattle diseases. Such research should encompas vaccinations and farmer indigenous knowledge systems such as the use of ethnoveterinary remedies.Future studies should also investigate the role of extension and actors in the livestock value chain in controlling cattle diseases.
- Date
- JUNE 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Farmers, livestock mortality, Shamva district
- Supervisor
- DR CHATIKOBO
- Item sets
- Department of Animal Sciences
- Media
-
Shadreck Magorimbo
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