By
Adonis Byemelwa
In
the heart of Shinyanga District, a silent crisis unfolds with each passing day.
The once-thriving herding communities are now facing an alarming surge in
livestock deaths, a dire situation that threatens to unravel the economic
stability of entire families and shake the nation’s financial foundation.
On August 20, 2024, a council meeting became
the epicenter of a heated discussion as the district's leaders gathered to
confront this escalating emergency. Ngassa Mboje, the district council
chairman, painted a grim picture of the challenges at hand, revealing a crisis
that is not only devastating the local livestock population but also putting
the economic survival of countless herders in jeopardy.
As
the cattle, goats, and sheep fall victim to an unknown disease, the heart of
Shinyanga beats with uncertainty, calling for urgent and impactful solutions to
save its livestock, its economy, and its people.
Mboje
lamented the alarming increase in livestock deaths, sharing his own distressing
experience. "I have 100 cattle, but half of them have died," Mboje
said, illustrating the gravity of the problem.
"Residents
cry daily over livestock deaths and we don't know what disease it is. There's a
growing belief that the vaccines might be causing this issue. We urge the
government to rescue us from this situation."
The
economy of Shinyanga District heavily relies on agriculture and livestock.
Mboje emphasized that the loss of livestock undermines the economic stability
of residents and, consequently, affects the national economy. "Our economy
depends on agriculture and livestock, so as livestock die, our national economy
deteriorates," he stressed.
Edward
Maduhu, the district's agriculture, livestock, and fisheries officer, confirmed
the rise in livestock deaths but admitted that accurate statistics are lacking.
He mentioned plans to establish their laboratory for in-depth investigations to
identify the cause of the deaths.
"We have reported to the regional animal
disease coordinators in Mwanza for further assistance," Maduhu added.
Herders
in Shinyanga District have voiced their frustrations over the loss of their
livestock. They reported that this crisis has led some to fall back
economically as their entire herds have perished. The region hosts a variety of
livestock including cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, and chickens.
Current
statistics from the Shinyanga Regional Website reveal the scale of the region’s
livestock sector: 1,221,784 cattle, 757,772 goats, 372,351 sheep, 24,558 pigs,
and 19,460 donkeys.
As
well, Shinyanga is home to a significant native chicken population of
2,081,006, alongside 216,980-layer chickens and 10,729 broilers. The majority
of this livestock consists of indigenous breeds, underscoring the deep-rooted
agricultural traditions that define the region’s economy.
Cattle
sales are a primary source of income for herders, followed by goat sales. In
the fiscal year 2015/2016, the government collected a total of 319,230,000
shillings from livestock taxes and transport fees, achieving 90.61% of the
revenue target. In 2021, cattle herders complained about the lack of markets
for hides from slaughtered animals and requested the government to provide better-quality
livestock breeds for more productive farming.
Charles
Masaganya, a cattle herder from Kahama District, discussed the challenges they
face. "We ask the government to provide us with breeds that meet current
industry standards. Hides are undervalued, and often we discard them. We lack
markets and only have middlemen who offer unsatisfactory prices,"
Masaganya said, expressing his dissatisfaction with the situation.
Frank
Mushi, a senior lecturer at the Livestock Training Agency (LITA), noted that
livestock hides produced in the country often fail to meet international market
standards because many herders do not recognize their value.
Mushi explained that indigenous cattle hides
are less valued due to their small size and the presence of bumps. "Many
herders do not understand the importance of hides, and most cattle raised have
limited utility," Mushi remarked.
Shinyanga
Regional Commissioner Anamringi Macha acknowledged the lack of a market for the
hides produced in the Kahama district, which results in lost revenue for the
government.
Speaking
on behalf of the five strategic regions involved in strengthening the leather
value chain—Arusha, Manyara, Kagera, Geita, and Shinyanga—former Regional
Commissioner Zainab Telack emphasized the government’s commitment to developing
the leather market in the country. She urged herders to adopt different types
of livestock farming as the current cattle have defects that spoil the hides.
In
the Lake Zone, despite the large livestock population, challenges such as
inadequate equipment, poor infrastructure, limited farmer education, and few
specialists compared to the region's size persist.
This zone comprises six regions—Mwanza, Mara,
Shinyanga, Simiyu, Kagera, and Geita—with over 6.89 million cattle, 3.64
million goats, and 1.228 million sheep.
Dr.
Subira Mwakabumbe, acting officer-in-charge of the Lake Zone Animal Disease
Research and Identification Centre, reported several issues including cattle plague
(CBPP), goat pox, swine fever, rabies, tick-borne diseases, dermatophytosis,
and foot-and-mouth disease. "In the 2016/17 period, 178 out of 866
reported cattle cases of cattle plague died," Dr. Mwakabumbe said, adding
that 2,430 pigs died from swine fever.
Dr.
Mwakabumbe highlighted that tick-borne diseases are a significant problem in
the Lake Zone. "43,971 cattle were affected by these diseases, with 2,692
deaths," she noted. She also mentioned that the center faces challenges
due to a lack of vehicles and equipment for disease monitoring.
Former
Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega, during a recent
visit to Mwanza, acknowledged the challenges including a shortage of veterinary
medicines.
Ulega stressed that there are significant
investment opportunities in the livestock product and veterinary medicine
sectors. "The government is committed to addressing these issues, and
herders should utilize these centers for education," Ulega said. He added
that the government plans to launch a nationwide vaccination program according
to Animal Diseases Act No. 17.
Dr.
Sero Luwango, assistant director of the veterinary health unit, mentioned that
abortion in cattle has been a persistent issue for herders. "When cattle
have this disease, they abort at around seven months, and without vaccination,
herders face further infections," Dr. Luwango said. "Often, this
disease leads to severe malaria and headaches and affects other body parts."
In
response to the escalating livestock crisis in Shinyanga District, urgent and
decisive action is imperative to establish sustainable solutions. The
government must spearhead the modernization of animal husbandry practices to
mitigate the adverse effects on both the local and national economies.
Improving
veterinary services and infrastructure is a critical first step. The
establishment of well-equipped veterinary clinics and laboratories across the
district would enable timely diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting
livestock.
Enhanced
infrastructure will also facilitate the swift movement of veterinary supplies
and access to medical care for animals, which is crucial for preventing
outbreaks and managing existing cases effectively.
Investing
in advanced breeding techniques is another essential measure. By introducing
high-quality breeds that are resistant to prevalent diseases and better adapted
to local conditions, productivity can be significantly increased.
This
will not only improve the health of the livestock but also enhance the economic
returns for herders. Additionally, providing access to improved feed and
nutrition will support better growth rates and overall animal health.
Education
plays a pivotal role in this transformation. Training programs for farmers
should be expanded to cover modern husbandry practices, disease prevention, and
efficient management techniques. Empowering farmers with knowledge will enable
them to make informed decisions and adopt best practices that can enhance
productivity and sustainability.
Furthermore,
investing in better disease diagnostics and treatment facilities is essential.
State-of-the-art diagnostic tools and rapid testing capabilities can help in
the early detection of diseases, reducing the spread and impact of outbreaks.
These facilities should be strategically located to serve the entire region,
ensuring that all herders have access to the necessary resources.
Globally,
countries like the United States, Brazil, and China lead in livestock
populations, with the U.S. boasting over 94 million cattle, Brazil housing
around 228 million, and China home to approximately 95 million cattle.
Tanzania, with its diverse livestock sector, ranks significantly lower with an
estimated 1.2 million cattle.
This
disparity underlines the urgent need for substantial improvements to boost
Tanzania's livestock industry. The Sokoine University of Agriculture, a leading
institution in Tanzania, plays a vital role in advancing livestock management
and veterinary sciences. Its research and development efforts are crucial in
shaping effective policies and practices to address the current challenges in
Shinyanga and beyond.
To
secure the future of Tanzania’s livestock sector, integrating modern practices
is essential. Transforming animal husbandry will not only rejuvenate the
industry but also strengthen the economic stability of herding families and
improve the nation's position in global livestock rankings. As we face these
challenges, there is a pressing need to innovate and invest in the sector,
ensuring a robust and prosperous future for Tanzania's livestock industry.
