Farmers drilled in community animal health management

Lilongwe District Council in partnership with Concern Worldwide has awarded certificates to 30 farmers who have successfully completed a three-year training programme in community animal health.

Concern Worldwide manager for Food Income and Markets Project, Akinsitu Kaitano, said the training, which targeted farmers from traditional authorities (T/As) Kabudula and Chitukula, to livestock extension services in the area was designed to increase access

Kaitano said the programme was designed to increase access to veterinary services which would in turn increase population of livestocks and livestock based businesses.

Grace Phiri, speaking on behalf of Lilongwe district agriculture development office (Dado), said her office, through the District Animal Health and Livestock Development officer, has been monitoring the performance of the 30 farmers for the past three years and was satisfied with their competence.

“We initially started with 31 farmers but one failed to reach the minimum competency level. Out of the 30, two are male. They will be de-worming goats and chickens and also make referrals to veterinary services for other infections,” she said.