By Jennifer Acheng &Raphael Acheboi
Livestock farmers in Kotido district, are protesting a move by government requiring them to pay for the Foot and Mouth Disease-FMD vaccine doses under the new vaccine policy.
Last week, government through the agricultural ministry, announced a new vaccine policy that will involve cost sharing between government and farmers in the procurement of vaccines for livestock.
Historically, the government has funded the full cost of FMD vaccination, but under the new policy, farmers will be required to contribute 7,700 shillings per dose of vaccine administered to each animal.
A section of livestock farmers in Kotido, has however, criticized the move, saying it is aimed at jeopardizing livestock farming business in the sub- region.
Longola Nasulut, a livestock farmer and LC1 Chairperson of Kamorumor village, in Kotyang parish, who has over 20 animals, says the 7,700 cost is too expensive for them to afford, especially for farmers with a large herd of cattle.
Peter KorKor Aleper, another farmer, says they will now resort to buying medicines from other drug shops at cheaper rates than paying 7,700 per animal, claiming that the move is aimed at indirectly recovering the PDM funds from beneficiaries.
Emmanuel Ngorok, from Napong village, in Kotido north division, wants government to disseminate the vaccines at designated drug shops where individual farmers are able to plan for their animals at their convenience.
Lotee Lomutai, another farmer, says there is need for other development partners in the agriculture sector to intervene, and help farmers pay for the cost of vaccination.
One of the agro-input dealers in Kotido town, who did preferred anonymity says the move will endanger the health of livestock as most farmers will opt for unprescribed, over the counter animal drugs, which may not be fit for the animals. Each dose of FMD vaccines costs about 2dollars (approximately 7,600shs), according to government.
