By Abiodun Lawal
The Federal Government says it has intensified efforts to control tsetse flies in livestock producing communities as part of measures to improve cattle health and productivity.
Mr Gilbert Okoro, Team Lead, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), stated this on Wednesday while conducting Tsetse fly surveillance and ground control operations at Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlements in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the control operations included spraying of insecticides on cattle farms and strategic locations to curb disease vectors and control the spread of livestock infections.
Okoro stated that the exercise involved survey, supply, and control operations targeting areas where tsetse flies are prevalent.
According to him, two major methods are being adopted to curb the spread of the flies.
“We are using physical and chemical control methods. The physical method involves the deployment of biconical traps in affected areas to capture and destroy the flies.
“The second method is chemical control, where pesticides are applied using knapsack sprayers to eliminate flies not captured by the traps,” he said.
The FMLD team lead explained that the intervention became necessary due to the harmful effects of tsetse flies on cattle and humans.
He noted that the flies transmit trypanosomiasis, a disease that affects both livestock and humans, adding that the initiative aligned with the federal government’s “One Health Approach”, which integrates human, animal and environmental health.
“The One Health Initiative ensures that humans are healthy, livestock are healthy and the environment is safe.
“This operation is part of nationwide efforts, with Ogun among the benefiting states,” he said.
NAN reports that the RUGA communities visited included Owowo RUGA community in Ewekoro Local Government Area, Alamutu Ruga Community in Abeokuta North Local Government and RUGA cattle settlement in Alabata, Odeda Local Government.
Earlier, the team led by the state coordinator of FMLD, Dr Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, had visited the Ogun Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Bolu Owotomo, where she intimated the commissioner on reasons for the team’s visit to the state.
Responding, Owotomo, represented by the Director Veterinary Services, Dr Taiwo Jolaoso, said that the state had strengthened veterinary services and livestock development to enhance food security and improve farmers’ productivity.
The commissioner explained that government was working to ensure farmers had access to essential resources for improved livestock production.
He revealed that the state had introduced free vaccination for animals, particularly dogs, to promote public and animal health.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yetunde Fatungase
