Animal health technicians and veterinarian services officials have intensified the provision of animal health care to farming communities across the province.

This comes partly as the provincial agriculture and rural development department seeks to mark April as animal health month but at the same time providing much-needed care to farmers in all parts.

The campaign started at the beginning of this month and has seen officials vaccinating animals against various diseases.

The agriculture department is working in partnership with the North West University’s school of agriculture at the Mahikeng campus to provide general animal husbandry services such as dehorning, deworming, castration, animal identification or brand marking, animal handling and parasite control.

Agriculture MEC Desbo Mohono said that vaccines were very valuable tools to stop the spread of a large number of transmittable diseases that threaten the health and welfare of animals and human beings.

“What the department has embarked upon is an attempt to contribute positively to the development of livestock farmers in the rural community by improving the health and quality of our livestock.

“The officials have also been helping farmers with information on livestock supplements that can be helpful to animals during this winter season because it’s the disease-prone time that puts most animals in danger,” she said.

Mohono said that vaccination and general screening of animals were rendered free of charge and anyone could have their livestock inspected.

The MEC further encouraged livestock farmers to keep in close contact with their local animal health technicians, saying their services to farmers was critical to the broader programme of livestock improvement in the province.

Department spokesperson Bonolo Mohlakoana said: “While most rural areas have been serviced since the beginning of this month, the primary animal healthcare services would continue to be provided at various sites, with the last round of Ngaka Modiri Molema district activities moving to Mmanawana and Ramatlabama today.”

She said that the campaign would be taken to Uitkyk village on May 7. “Farmers in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district had technicians visiting Matsheng and Tlapeng villages in Kagisano-Molopo local municipality yesterday, while Dipodi, Kudunkgoane and Tlapeng livestock will be vaccinated on Friday.”

Some of the livestock farmers expressed gratitude for the gesture shown by the department and promised to take full advantage of the campaign.

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