Africa-Press – Eswatini. The ministry of agriculture is investigating complaints in relation to the use of ineffective chemicals against ticks.
Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza said this during their official opening of Mgobhodzi Dip tank number 341 in Manzini under Kukhanyeni Inkhundla.
He said the ministry had been receiving many reports which suggested that the dipping chemical (triatix) used was now ineffective as the ticks had developed resistance.
He mentioned that the ministry was now investigating these complaints.
“The director has assigned a special team, led by the acting chief animal health inspector, to visit all those suspected tick resistance dipping tanks, verify that dipping is done correctly and sample ticks for laboratory testing,” he said.
Mabuza requested veterinary assistants, dipping tank committees and farmers to follow the dipping programme, reduce absenteeism, ensure every animal was dipped, clean the dipping tank frequently and report any issues.
The minister also thanked the Regional Development Fund (RDF), Micro-projects and the livestock farmers for their partnership which had led to the opening of the dip tank.
“I am informed that RDF and Micro projects contributed E256 834 in the construction of this dip tank, with farmers contributing E162 072 as collateral,” he said.
He encouraged farmers to make good use of the dip tank by bringing their stock for disease control, which includes inspection, endorsement of permits, treatments, vaccinations and technical advice.
“This facility may also be used to conduct livestock auction sales which create a fair ground for bidders’ competition and in the process the farmers’ benefit handsomely,” he said.
Mabuza reminded the farmers that it was that time of the year when the ministry conducted counting of livestock, which is called livestock census and it is done in all dip tanks.
“During the months of July and August our veterinary assistants visit your homesteads and dipping tanks to conduct stock census for cattle, horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry and dogs,” the minister said. He added that the census was important for planning and monitoring livestock development programmes and interventions.
He mentioned that the ministry was aware that livestock farming was improving such that all the fresh chicken and pork consumed in the country was produced locally. “So far this year we are consuming only locally produced beef and the number of feedlots has increased to more than 200,” he said.
He encouraged farmers to use the winter time to brand their livestock as it was the right season to do so.
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