Ugandan scientists develop anti-tick vaccine
WAKISO-Ugandan Scientists have discovered an effective anti-tick vaccine that is set to undergo trials soon.
The vaccine developed by the National Livestock Research Institute [NaLIRRI] at Nakyesesa is ready for field trials.
The Director General of the National Agricultural Research Organization [NARO] Dr. Ambrose Omona told the Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze who has paid a courtesy visit to the Station at Nakyesesa that a critical break-through had been made, and soon the pesticide would be out for trials.
“Honourable minister, we would like to inform you that a critical anti-tick vaccine has been found, and soon we shall carry out field trials to ascertain a few scientific details, but the vaccine is now available,” said Dr. Omona.
Ticks have long been a major challenge to cattle in the countryside as multiple chemicals have failed to effectively eliminate the pests, leaving farmers at great losses.
Several other chemicals and pesticides have been on the market, for which the pests had developed resistance.
The Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], Frank Tumwebaze accompanied by the State Minister for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga expressed gratitude for the new development, adding that it will be a game changer in the animal husbandry sector.
“I really feel I should have come earlier to visit this facility but I needed to first study the sector and provide the appropriate policy direction,” Tumwebaze said.
The minister also noted he was happy that Uganda’s anti-tick vaccine is ready for launching to the farmers through farmer fields, adding that it is great news for livestock farmers previously burdened by tick-borne diseases.
He challenged NaLIRRI to start a fully-fledged animal feed manufacturing facility for poultry, piggery and fish feeds as well as cattle feeds that would in turn result in more affordable animal feeds for livestock farmers
Tumwebaze applauded NaLIRRI for the technology that removes aflatoxins from grains, especially maize. He also lauded them for biogas and fertilizers development though the minister challenged them to make them available for use by the farmers
“Let us have a fully-fledged knowledge transfer centre here where farmers can come, stay overnight, and be taught. You can go and benchmark Kyankwanzi to see how you can develop the facility.”
Dr.Ambrose Omona said NaLIRRI has registered tremendous achievements but called for more support from the ministry.
He said they are looking at NARO being self-sustaining and will no longer be waiting for government funds to run projects.
The anti-tick pesticide will be rolled out for trials among the different farm schools where organised farmer groups are taken on for training, usage, and monitoring to ascertain its effectiveness, rightful dosage, and other veterinary details before its full enrollment into the market.
The Organization runs several research stations around the country carrying out research on several different sectors and foods including arid and semi-arid crops, oil and legume plants, animal husbandry, and crop production among others.
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