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In the heart of Southwestern Kenya lies Lambwe Valley, where livestock provides a lifeline for many rural households. This is one reason why Dr Ivy Okello, a PASET-Regional Scholarship Innovation Fund (Rsif) recent PhD graduate decided to tackle African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) and its devastating effects on livestock production in the Lambwe community.
“In extreme cases, untreated animals may die, deepening the losses experienced by farmers. In a region like Lambwe Valley, where 15.63 percent of cattle were infected, the effects of AAT are stark. As cattle provide both milk and traction power for farming, any decline in their health directly impacts food production,” Dr Okello explains.
Dr Okello’s research examines the effects of AAT and identifies possible solutions to improve livestock productivity and, by extension, food security in the Lambwe community. Her key message is that livestock health is tied to food security, and we must not overlook that connection.
The implications of AAT extend beyond the individual farm and the effects are beyond reduced milk and meat production. This is because most farmers in rural communities rely on livestock to plow their lands. “Most households depend on animal traction for plowing fields,” Dr Okello points out. “When animals are sick or die, it impacts food production and increases the labor burden on families.”
AAT does not only affect Lambwe Valley but also countries with livestock-based agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, by causing low milk production, increased risk of infection by other diseases, low live weight gain, reduced fertility, and mortality if not treated.
In the Lambwe community, Dr Okello found that many farmers resort to self-treatment for their livestock, which often results in improper use of drugs and ineffective disease control due to poverty and lack of access to veterinary services. This negatively affects the effectiveness of disease control, as most control measures will not work as predicted. It would also lead to the persistence of AAT in such regions despite livestock receiving treatment. Another barrier that farmers face, according to Dr Okello’s research findings is poor access to veterinary care, the high cost of treatment, and the proximity of livestock to tsetse-infested wildlife areas. “Communal grazing and the closeness to national parks expose cattle to more tsetse fly bites, increasing the risk of AAT,” she notes.
Dr Okello recommends a mix of policy changes and community education. Key among her recommendations is to reduce communal grazing near wildlife areas and strengthen community-based disease control strategies. She also proposes integrated disease management practices that combine drug treatment with effective vector control.
Just as this year’s World Food Day, Dr Okello also stresses the importance of building resilient food systems, and in her case, controlling AAT, can safeguard livestock health and ensure a steady supply of milk and meat for rural households in the Lambwe Valley.”
Dr Okello’s work is a powerful wake-up call that by tackling AAT, we can move closer to ensuring food security for the millions of people who rely on livestock for their survival. It also underscores the importance of regional research and training programs like the PASET-Rsif in nurturing the next generation of scientists and leaders for Africa.
Janet Otieno
