Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with FAO, has launched a new national project to combat ticks and tick-borne diseases in Eswatini.
Held at The George Hotel in Manzini, the inception workshop for the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) titled “Support for the Control of Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases in Eswatini” brought together veterinary experts, farmers, animal health workers, and key stakeholders to align on strategy and kickstart implementation.
Assistant FAO Representative Howard Mbuyisa said the project was a timely and strategic intervention, as tick-borne diseases (TBDs) remained one of the biggest threats to livestock health and productivity in Eswatini.
He warned that “bovine babesiosis alone affects 17 percent of cattle nationally,” while anaplasmosis and heartwater were also spreading into new zones.
“There are even reports of suspected tick bite fever in humans, which highlights the urgent need to act,” Mbuyisa said.
He added that the initiative will tackle acaricide resistance, strengthen surveillance, and train farmers and veterinary officers on integrated tick management. “Our goal is to reduce TBDs by 50 percent and ensure healthier livestock and improved livelihoods,” he said.
Climate change, according to Mbuyisa, has worsened the situation.
“Ticks are now active in areas previously unaffected. Rising temperatures are changing how they spread, and this threatens not just animals, but food production systems and even public health,” he said.
The project, backed by a USD 175 000 (E3 150 000) FAO investment, will run from January 2025 to December 2026 and focus on three pillars: tick mapping and surveillance, resistance testing using FAO protocols, and farmer training.
Delivering welcoming remarks, Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Roland Dlamini described the project as a milestone.
“For over a century, Eswatini has battled ticks, we won against East Coast Fever in 1960. But today’s challenges demand a smarter, coordinated approach,” he said.
Dr. Dlamini noted that despite long-standing dipping practices, new strains of TBDs and emerging acaricide resistance, especially against amitraz, were making control more difficult. “We can no longer rely on the same old methods. This programme allows us to reassess, retrain, and respond with science and strategy,” he said.
The workshop also highlighted the link between animal and human health through the One Health approach. The mapping of ticks and tick-borne diseases will inform future public health alerts and support early warning systems.
The workshop concluded with a call to action. “Ticks might be small, but their impact is huge,” said Mbuyisa. “Through partnerships, community involvement, and evidence-based action, Eswatini can lead the region in modern tick control and livestock protection.”
The Ministry of Agriculture reiterated its commitment to working hand in hand with farmers, local dip tank committees, and technical experts. Surveillance activities, including drag sampling, will be conducted in all agro-ecological zones to identify tick species and risk areas.
The project also aims to train at least 560 dip tank committees over the next two years to empower communities to monitor, prevent, and manage tick infestations.
Stakeholders left the workshop with renewed commitment to tackle the pest that has long plagued Eswatini’s livestock.
As one farmer noted during the sidelines of the event, “This project brings hope. With better knowledge and tools, we’ll protect our cattle and feed our families.”
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