Dairy cattle farmers in Arusha Region are experiencing a shift in livestock health management, thanks to training from experts at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).
The initiative aims to improve farmers' understanding of mastitis a common udder infection particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
The SUA team visited Arusha to share findings from a research study conducted in October 2024 and to carry out follow-up tests to reassess the health status of the animals.
According to Efraim Sanga, the Livestock Officer for Lemara Ward, initial milk and blood samples revealed that some cows were infected with Anaplasma, the bacteria responsible for tick-borne fever, while others showed signs of mastitis.
“We advised livestock keepers to dip their cattle regularly to control ticks and to maintain hygiene during the milking process,” Sanga said.
Glory Epimack Shirima, the Livestock Officer for Moivo Ward, said the knowledge shared with farmers would boost productivity and reduce losses caused by undiagnosed diseases.
She emphasized that cleanliness both in the cowshed and during milking is key to preventing mastitis, which remains a major challenge for many dairy farmers.
Farmers from Lemara Kati and Moivo, including Rose Aloyce and Suleman Juma, expressed appreciation for the training, saying it has transformed their mindset and daily practices.
“We used to wonder why milk production was declining. Now we understand the causes and know what to do,” Suleman said.
Dr. Shaabani Mshamu, a lecturer and livestock specialist from SUA, urged farmers to adopt best practices in cattle management especially during the rainy season to prevent diseases and improve productivity.
The training is part of the NANO COM project, which is being implemented in five regions across Tanzania: Arusha, Tanga, Iringa, Mbeya, and Njombe.
The project’s research focuses on identifying the causes of mastitis and developing alternative treatments tailored to the needs of Tanzanian livestock keepers.