A vaccination campaign targeting 790,000 cattle is underway in Pibor and Verthet counties, a Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) agriculture and animal resources minister said.
The campaign started on 12 June and will run until July 8, 2023. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is supporting the exercise.
“790, 000 cows, goats, sheep, and poultry are being vaccinated in areas of Pibor and Verthet. This campaign will help protect our animals from diseases because rains are just starting and rains always come with diseases,” said Minister Sabila Joseph.
The agriculture official called on residents to get their animals ready for the exercise.
“Animals in other counties like Likuangole and Gumuruk were vaccinated since April last year. So this vaccination exercise will provide protection against cross-infection as herders begin returning home with their cattle because it has just started raining,” he said.
GPAA’s information minister, Kelang Abraham, lauded the exercise and said it will help strengthen community livelihoods.
“During the rainy season, our animals suffer a lot of problems. So, as a government, we lauded our partners for coming up with this. This will protect our animals and community,” he said.
Animals are a key economic asset and a central socio-cultural component for the majority of the people of South Sudan, with an estimated 12 million cattle, 12.1 million sheep, and 12.4 million goats, making the country one of the world leaders in animal wealth per capita.
However, it is estimated that this rich resource contributes only approximately 3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) due to inadequate commercialization and marketing.