Vulnerable: Farm animals are valuable assets for families in Africa
In the Central African Republic, people depend on animals for food and income. But, caring for them is not always simple.
In many rural African communities, people depend on their livestock for their livelihoods. In some African countries, cattle are revered and given the utmost respect.
It is the same for those in the Central African Republic (CAR), where agriculture employs 80 per cent of the people. However, many of the farmers whom we work with have never been taught how to maintain animal health or deal with diseases.
Moreover, very few of them have the financial means to purchase the right food or tools to maintain their animals. As such, many of them often raise their livestock by letting them forage in the surrounding wild areas. Here, none of the food sources are controlled and animals are more vulnerable to pests and disease.
Prevention is better than cure
Often, easily treatable conditions are left to worsen and put the lives of the animals in danger. Losing these “household assets” is a real blow to families who are already food insecure.
ForAfrika’s mission in CAR is to assist farmers – who belong to farming associations that already pool their resources – to take better care of their livestock and their crops.
We employ a veterinary technician, Tatiana Bako, who pays them regular visits, checking in on animals and the communities we serve in the Sibut district.
“I believe that helping animals to have good health, also impacts the lives of people,” she says.
For the Sarah, Gelcop, Danrawesse and New Generation groups in Gbambia, oxen and goats have been treated for various ailments and parasites, such as ticks.
Ticks pose a number of threats to animals.
“Offering preventative care, protects the animals and the livelihoods of people,” says Laurentine Nassy, programme officer in CAR. “This treatment will reduce deaths in the coming months.”
ForAfrika is currently working with 40 farming associations and has treated over 500 animals. Future plans include engaging crop experts, purchasing plough oxen, rehabilitating wells and providing links to local markets.
