Overview of the Campaign
The Tanzanian government has launched a comprehensive nationwide campaign to vaccinate and identify livestock for the 2025–2029 period. In the Iringa Region, authorities have outlined a bold plan to reach more than 400,000 cattle, alongside tens of thousands of small ruminants and other livestock. The initiative aims to curb disease, improve animal welfare, and bolster the country’s food security and livestock-based livelihoods.
Targets by Species
Within Iringa, the push focuses on:
– Approximately 400,000 cattle for vaccination and identification.
– Around 20,000 goats and sheep combined.
– About 1.5 million other livestock units are anticipated to be covered as part of the broader campaign. While the exact breakdown for each category may evolve, the goal remains to establish robust herd health records and ensure vaccines are accessible across rural and peri-urban communities.
Rationale and Expected Benefits
The campaign is designed to tackle endemic animal diseases that threaten productivity, trade, and livelihoods. Key anticipated benefits include:
- Reduced incidence of contagious diseases and improved survival rates among calves and young stock.
- Enhanced animal movement and market access through reliable identification and documentation.
- Stronger veterinary surveillance enabling quicker responses to outbreaks.
- Improved public trust in livestock value chains and greater resilience for rural households.
Implementation and Logistics
Officials note that the campaign will unfold through coordinated efforts among national veterinary services, regional authorities, and local communities. Key components include:
- Mobile vaccination teams visiting villages and farms using cold-chain vaccines.
- Permanent identification systems to seamlessly track animals across herds and regions.
- Digital and paper records to monitor coverage, vaccine efficacy, and responses to outbreaks.
- Community engagement to educate livestock owners on vaccination schedules, post-vaccination care, and the importance of traceability.
Community Impact and Participation
For farmers and herders in Iringa, the campaign offers a path to healthier herds and more predictable income. Local committees and veterinary officers are encouraged to work closely with households to plan vaccination visits, address concerns, and ensure that even remote farms receive timely services. The initiative also supports smallholder resilience by reducing losses from disease and improving access to regional and national markets.
What This Means for the Region
As Iringa aligns with the national 2025–2029 strategy, region-wide vaccination and identification efforts are expected to raise the overall health status of the livestock sector. Strengthened disease surveillance and accurate animal records will facilitate better policy planning, export readiness, and long-term sustainability for farmers and communities across the region.
