Livestock farmers frustrated over NARO’s delay to release local anti-tick vaccine

MBARARA CITY, December 3, 2024 – Livestock farmers in the Ankole Subregion are growing increasingly frustrated over the delay in the release of a locally developed anti-tick vaccine, which has been under pilot trials by scientists at the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO].

With persistent issues of tick resistance and tick-borne diseases affecting livestock across the country, NARO’s National Agricultural Livestock Research Institute [NALRI] in Nakyesasa, Wakiso district, initiated a local vaccine development programme in 2014 under its Animal Health Research and Development Programme.

“We began this research in 2014 to address the problem of acaricide resistance and failure. Since then, we’ve progressed through six phases of vaccine development, and we are now at stage four,” explained Dr. Halid Kirunda, Director of NARO’s Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute [MbZARDI].

Kirunda spoke during an engagement of the Uganda Veterinary Association at the MbZARDI Stock Farm in Mbarara City last Wednesday, where he provided an update on the anti-tick vaccine.

He stated that the vaccine had undergone several successful field trials since October 27, 2022, but it is still awaiting approval from regulatory authorities.

Officials say the anti-tick vaccine trials have been conducted at various sites, including the Prison Farm Isimba, MbZARDI, Uganda Prison Farm Kiburara, Maruzi Livestock Research Centre, and Nabuin ZARDI, covering districts such as Masindi, Ibanda, Apac, and Nabilatuk.

Once approved, Kirunda said the vaccine would provide relief to farmers suffering from the widespread use of counterfeit acaricides, which have contributed to acaricide resistance rates of up to 90 percent, particularly in the western and central cattle corridors, where exotic dairy breeds have been dying in large numbers.

However, local farmers are growing impatient. Eric Rutahigwa, a successful livestock farmer from western Uganda, voiced his frustration over the delay. “You were here in 2022 testing the vaccine and said the trials would only take a year. Now, two more years have passed, and we continue to lose cattle. Why the delay? Do you want to release the vaccine when we no longer have cattle?” Rutahigwa asked.

Edson Nuwagaba from Shuuku, Sheema also shared his experience, having lost two dairy cattle to tick-borne diseases. He urged the government to expedite the approval process for the local anti-tick vaccine.

Naboth Mugasi from Rwenjeru questioned why it has taken almost a decade for NARO to release the locally developed anti-tick vaccine, especially given that farmers are also struggling with counterfeit vaccines.

On the other hand, Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi commended NARO for developing the vaccine, noting that it would greatly benefit livestock farmers battling both fake vaccines and high vaccine prices. However, he called on the government to speed up the approval process.

Cause of the Delay

Kirunda explained that vaccine development can take many years to ensure the product is safe for animals. “The process can sometimes take over 20 years, as we need to ensure that the vaccine poses no risks to the animals,” he said.

He clarified that the vaccine is still awaiting approval from the National Drug Authority [NDA], which is responsible for ensuring its safety.

The official urged farmers to remain patient as the regulatory process unfolds. “We share the results with scientific colleagues globally to avoid bias. In some cases, samples need to be sent abroad for further analysis, which can take six months to a year,” Kirunda added.

He also pointed out that although the trials have been conducted in a research laboratory, the vaccine for mass production requires a manufacturing facility, which is currently under construction. “The laboratory we used for experimental production is purely for research. To produce the vaccine for farmers, we need an industrial production facility,” Kirunda explained.

However, he assured farmers that President Museveni had committed Shs 60 billion for the construction of the vaccine production facility, with production set to begin in January 2025.

Once the facility is operational, Dr. Kirunda confirmed that the initial production capacity would be around 1-2 million doses, targeting areas with high levels of tick resistance. Over time, production will be scaled up to cover all livestock in the country.

“Not all 14 million livestock will be covered initially. It will take 1-5 years to scale production, but we will start with areas experiencing severe acaricide resistance before expanding to areas with fewer challenges,” Dr. Kirunda said.

Dr. Andrew Akashaba, Principal Veterinary Officer for Mbarara district, urged the public to remain patient while the vaccine undergoes the necessary scientific processes. “We have high hopes for the vaccine, but as you know, science is a long-term endeavour. Even the development of an anti-malaria drug can take up to 20 years. We shouldn’t rush the scientific process; it must take its natural course,” Akashaba said.

He also revealed that Mbarara district loses around 3,000 cattle annually due to ticks and tick-borne diseases. He added that the anti-tick vaccine could help save the country from an annual loss of Shs 3.8 trillion caused by these diseases.

https://thecooperator.news/naro-launches-anti-tick-vaccine-trials-in-mbarara/