Tickborne diseases affecting animal agriculture #Kenya

Tickborne diseases are some of the main challenges
livestock farmers face, the government has said.
East Coast fever (ECF) and anaplasma are two of the most
prevalent high mortality tickborne diseases in Kenya.
Livestock production director Julius Kiptarus said the
government is using a rapid response system to counter the
diseases but is yet to eradicate them.
Kiptarus said the high costs of animal feeds and farm inputs
worsen the matter for smallholder animal farmers.
"Integration and diversification of new technology in animal
farming remains a challenge that worries both the
Agriculture ministry and the livestock department," he said.
Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Kiptarus said
that the 6th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture will
take place on October 27-30 at the Kenyatta International
Convention Centre (KICC)
The conference, first held in 1992, will be co hosted by the
Ministry of Agriculture. Participants from 29 countries all
over the world will attend. Kiptarus said its main aim is to
discuss emerging value addition issues for the business
aspect of agriculture.
"Our aim is to deliberate on new sciencific innovations for
production to fit in the modern business market, he said.
On the agenda for the conference will be market access,
capacity and partnership challenges and smallholder
production systems.
Animal Production Society of Kenya chairman Jack Ouda
said the conference will be a good platform to discuss the
challenges animal farmers have faced for years and to
come up with better solutions.
"As we are working hard to revive ranches and export
slaughter houses, many farmers have the challenge of
market access and storage. That is why there is need for
this conference for us to seek better alternatives for animal
agriculture, he said.
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