Katsina State Flags Off Livestock Vaccination Exercise to Fight Disease

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Governor Dikko Radda marked the start of the statewide vaccination campaign against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Foot and Mouth Disease, and Peste-des-Petits Ruminants at Shifdawa Fulani Village in Batagarawa Local Government Area on Monday. He said the exercise is a strategic step to protect animal health, improve livestock productivity, and strengthen public health. Livestock production remains a vital pillar of Katsina State's economy, and vaccination is one of the most effective measures for preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring healthier, more productive livestock populations. Radda noted that Katsina's rich history in livestock production and trade dates back to the time when the state was a major hub for the famous Moroccan leather traded across North Africa and Europe.

The governor commended development partners, including IOM, UNDP, and Co-group, for their support, while calling on livestock farmers, herders, traditional rulers, security agencies, and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with vaccination teams to ensure the success of the exercise. He also highlighted Katsina's position as a border state with the Niger Republic, coupled with the constant movement of livestock through transhumance and cross-border trade, makes the vaccination exercise both timely and critical for disease control and public safety. Ahmed Mohammed, the Katsina State Commissioner for Livestock Development, said animal husbandry remains a way of life for many households in Katsina State and stressed the importance of sustained vaccination efforts to protect livestock, improve rural livelihoods, and enhance food security.

The statewide vaccination exercise will cover all 361 wards in the state's 34 local government areas and will last for 18 days, with a focus on house-to-house vaccination for small ruminants and statewide vaccination against CBPP and FMD. Governor Radda described vaccination as a 'strategic step' to protect animal health and improve livestock productivity, while also strengthening public health. He noted that Katsina's rich history in livestock production and trade makes the vaccination exercise both timely and critical for disease control and public safety.

According to Governor Radda, the exercise will cover all 34 local government areas in the state, including Batagarawa Local Government Area where the ceremony took place. He also commended the efforts of the Katsina State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Ahmed Mohammed, and the Chairman of Batagarawa Local Government Area, Yahaya Lawal, for their roles in promoting vaccination efforts and improving rural livelihoods.

The exercise is a clear indication of Governor Radda's commitment to strengthening veterinary services, livestock development, and agricultural systems in line with global best practices. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation between livestock farmers, herders, traditional rulers, security agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise. The statewide vaccination exercise is a major step towards preventing and controlling major infectious diseases affecting livestock in Katsina State.