By Paio Khan, FAO Zhob
ZHOB: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has successfully completed a deworming campaign in various union councils of District Zhob under the European Union-funded Post-Flood Resilient Recovery of the Livestock Sector in Balochistan project.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This activity is part of the EU-Livestock Project titled Post-Floods Resilient Recovery and Strengthening of Livestock Sector in Balochistan. The key interventions of the project are Climate-Resilient Production & Rearing focused on Genetic improvement of sheep and goats, Prevention and control of contagious diseases, Sustainable rangeland management and water stocking and Improving feed resources for small ruminants. This component will be implemented through Hands-on Transformative Learning Process and Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Other components are Strengthened capacities of veterinary service providers in disease diagnostic, reproductive services, cold chain for vaccination and food control systems, and Enhanced skills of women of livestock keeping families in safe and nutritious food.
The campaign was implemented in two phases. The first phase Was completed in May this year while the phase-II was carried out from august 4 to 20. This activity was carried out under the project’s Animal Health Coverage component, aimed at improving livestock health, reducing internal parasitic infestations and enhancing animal productivity. The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of livestock-dependent households in District Zhob.
The phase-I, which continued for 15 days, approximately 64,000 animals, particularly small ruminants (sheep and goats), were treated with quality deworming drenches. A total of 645 vials containing of deworming drench were utilized during the campaign.
Initial Phase was implemented in five selected Union Councils of District Zhob: Mena Bazar, Garda Babar, Lakaband, Mir Ali Khail and Shaghalu. Vaccinators and supervisory staff were nominated by the Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Balochistan, to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the campaign.
The second phase of the deworming campaign was subsequently carried out through the administration of ivermectin to another 64,500 animals, particularly small ruminants. The second phase was implemented in five additional Union Councils: Shahabzai, Ali Khanzai, Shaghalu, Wala Akram and Ali Gharh Babar.
The Phase II campaign was carried out in close cooperation with the Livestock and Dairy Development Department, District Zhob. The field staff for the campaign were nominated by the Director General Livestock, Government of Balochistan, Dr. Farooq Tareen, to support the effective implementation of the activity.
For the first time, beneficiary data was collected digitally to ensure transparency, accountability and effective monitoring. The Kobo Collect platform is real-time data entry tool by FAO. The digital data collection system enabled the campaign teams and project staff to maintain up-to-date beneficiary records and monitor field activities more efficiently.
FAO provided logistical support for the campaign, including rented vehicles, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other biosafety supplies such as aprons, gloves and face masks for the field teams. FAO staff Paio Khan and Dr. Hamidullah remained involved in supervision, monitoring and coordination with the Livestock Department and field teams throughout the campaign.
Following this campaign, an extensive carpet campaign for PPR vaccination is scheduled to start from august 23. Under this campaign, more than 316000 doses of PPR will be administered to small ruminants.