Ilemela Municipal Council is set to kick off a large-scale livestock vaccination campaign tomorrow, July 3, as part of a nationwide effort to curb the spread of deadly animal diseases and boost livestock productivity.
In the first phase of the campaign, the council will vaccinate an estimated 70,000 indigenous chickens against major poultry diseases, including Newcastle disease, fowl pox, and avian influenza.
The two-week exercise is part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce livestock-related losses and strengthen food security.
The initiative is aligned with the five-year National Livestock Vaccination and Identification Campaign, launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Simiyu Region on June 16, 2025.
The programme aims to eliminate key livestock diseases and improve traceability through the use of digital identification systems.
Speaking during the official handover of vaccines and equipment to livestock officers on Tuesday, Mr. Petro Joseph, who represented the Acting Municipal Director, confirmed that the council has received a total of 70,000 doses for chickens, 28,000 doses for goats, and 23,000 doses for cattle.
“In addition to vaccines, we’ve secured important tools such as refrigerators, motorcycles, syringes, and digital tablets, which will support the smooth implementation of the exercise,” he said.
Mr. Joseph urged livestock officers to ensure comprehensive coverage in all wards and to educate livestock keepers about the importance of vaccinations.
“I call on officers to make sure every chicken in the municipality is vaccinated and to follow all guidelines and legal procedures throughout the exercise,” he emphasized.
The second phase of the vaccination campaign will target cattle and goats, alongside the introduction of ear-tagging systems for livestock identification, which will commence once the remaining equipment arrives.
Municipal Livestock Officer Dr. Nelson Rugaimukamu applauded the government’s decision to provide the vaccines free of charge, noting that the campaign will significantly reduce treatment costs for livestock keepers and limit disease outbreaks.
“We thank President Samia for this timely support. We now appeal to livestock owners to give full cooperation to the veterinary teams to ensure this effort succeeds,” said Dr. Rugaimukamu.
Receiving the vaccines on behalf of livestock officers, Mr. David Wanoka, the Livestock Officer for Kayenze Ward, pledged commitment to ensuring smooth delivery of the vaccination exercise across all wards in the council.
He said livestock officers were well-prepared and motivated to roll out the campaign effectively.
The national campaign aims to bring long-term transformation to the livestock sector, which plays a vital role in rural livelihoods and Tanzania’s broader economic development agenda.
By reducing mortality rates and increasing disease resistance, the initiative is expected to boost production, improve food safety, and support access to local and international markets.