International veterinarians check local animal health

Eight prominent veterinarians from Michigan State University in the US and Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Sciences University in India are in the country to promote the health of local cattle.

The specialists, who have come courtesy of Feed the Future Integrating Nutrition in Value Chains (INVC) Project, are also training local farmers under the Malawi Milk Producers Association (Mmpa).

Speaking at Nanjiri during inspection of local animals on Monday, one of the veterinarians, Professor Seshadri Monankumar from Michigan State University in the US, said the specialists are expected to stay in the country for 10 days.

“We want to examine the animals and see if they are in good health. We are helping the farmers to improve on breeding and reproductive performances,” he said.

Monankumar said the specialists have examined animals in Magomero, Chitsanzo and Nanjiri and discovered that they are prone to nutritional deficiency and mastitis infection which reduces milk production.

Said Monankumar: “We are educating the farmers to keep the barns clean and give the cattle lots of grain. My colleagues are also providing essential minerals [Microbes] at a cost of K20 per animal a day to help improve the animals’ digestive system.”

Mmpa assistant programme manager Phillip Chidawati said the organisation through INVC project with funding from Usaid, wants to raise local farmers’ milk production.

“Through the project, we are working with 10 milk bulking groups to help farmers generate income through milk production,” said Chidawati.

He said the INVC project is targeting all local farmers under the Mmpa and the presidential initiative of A Cow A Family Project.