KOURITTENGA: A national animal vaccination campaign in Burkina Faso, spearheaded by the government and supported by the Livestock Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PRECEL), has achieved a significant milestone with the vaccination of 500 cattle and goats in Zaogo Center, located in Koupéla commune. This initiative, part of a broader effort to improve livestock health and reduce poverty through enhanced breeding practices, was executed by a team from the provincial directorate of Animal and Fisheries Resources of Kourittenga.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the campaign commenced on October 11 and aims to provide free vaccines against diseases such as peste des petits ruminants (PPR), rabies, and anthrax. Dr. Jean Marie Batiébo, the technical advisor to the Minister Delegate in charge of animal resources, emphasized the importance of vaccinating animals successfully and noted that additional vaccines, like those for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, foot-and-mouth disease, Newcastle disease, a
nd fowl pox, are subsidized by the state.

Local community leaders, including Amado Balma of the Zaogo Village Development Committee, have expressed gratitude for the government’s initiative, highlighting its potential to alleviate poverty among breeders. The campaign has also received commendations from Dr. Batiébo, who praised the contributions of customary chiefs, managers, livestock service agents, and breeders towards the campaign’s success.

Mayir Da, Head of the Veterinary Service of Koupéla, urged breeders to engage actively in the vaccination process, despite challenges such as the tendency of some parents to send children instead of attending themselves. He stressed the campaign’s role in raising awareness about vaccination benefits, urging breeders to take the free services seriously to ensure mutual support and success.

The vaccination campaign is scheduled to continue nationwide until December 31, 2024, aiming to bolster livestock health and, in turn, improve the livelihoods of breeders across B
urkina Faso.