From the look of things, livestock breeding excels in the North West Region and it is against this backdrop that the government will soon launch a FCFA 26 billion Livestock Development project to improve and sustain production in the area.
That was the message which the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), Dr Taiga took to Bamenda on June 12, 2013. The event was the launching of the 2013 national mass vaccination campaign against major livestock diseases.
The venue was His Majesty, Angwafor 111's ranch in the neigbourhood of Mankon where Minister Taiga kick-started the administration of vaccines against cattle diseases like contagious bovine, pleuropneumonia, black quarter, hemorrhagic septicemia, lumpy skin disease. The campaign is also expected to vaccinate against swine ery sepelas in pigs, new castle diseases in poultry and PPR in goats and sheep. It was a rare moment for the Minister to encourage breeders in the face of major diseases that cause low production.
The 2013 mass vaccination campaign features major innovations with "made in Cameroon" vaccines, vaccination against food and mouth diseases, provision of vaccines to farmers and the collaboration of the private sector. The target this time around is to achieve health coverage of 50 per cent of the nation's herds. The campaign also offered a moment for farmers to hail the government's efforts in the sector with a lot to show in the improvement of slaughter facilities, renovation and rehabilitation of structures, fish stations and veterinary centres. Come what may, the Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council, Ndumu Nji Vincent appealed for a meat transportation van in Bamenda market and slaughter house for pigs and ruminants and the rehabilitation of the Nkwen fish station. Minister Taiga later took time off visiting the office and feed mill of the North West Livestock Development Fund (CDENO), handed motorcycles to MINEPIA staff and materials to bee farmers of the region.
