The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Northern Province has disclosed that the province has recorded an increase in Livestock population.

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Northern Province Coordinator Gethings Chisule has attributed the increase in livestock population to consistency in vaccinations against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and training of farmers in animal management, among other interventions by government.

ZANIS reports that Mr Chisule revealed in an interview in Kasama that the district currently has a cattle population of nearly 70,000 and a goat population approaching 200,000.

He named other livestock as Village Chickens, which have a population of over 550,000, and 40,000 Pigs, while Sheep stand at 7,000.

“So to ensure that the number of animals increases, we conduct a lot of vaccinations against FMD and CBPP to ensure that animals are healthy; these vaccinations are done every year. We are doing a lot as a province teaching our farmers to ensure good livestock management,” he said.

The Provincial Coordinator revealed that last year vaccinations were conducted in Mbala and Senga Hill Districts.

“We vaccinated more than 30,000 animals that is in districts like Mbala, Senga, and Mungwi these are districts that boarder Tanzania,” Mr Chisule said.

Mr Chisule urged farmers intending to move animals from outside the province to have them thoroughly inspected and tested by the Veterinary office, stating that animals arriving in the province without proper documentation will be considered illegally moved.

The coordinator also encouraged farmers to enhance livestock production by adopting best management practices and seeking guidance from local livestock office.