The initiative aims to support local farmers raising cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry.

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, supported by the World Bank, is stepping up efforts to reduce the impact of livestock diseases in Taraba State

The initiative aims to support local farmers raising cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry by building stronger disease prevention and control systems.

At a recent training session held in Jalingo for veterinary officers and animal health technologists, Hananiah Albert, the State Project Coordinator, explained that the project focuses on early disease detection, quicker reporting, and coordinated response.

“Livestock diseases such as Anthrax, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Hemorrhagic Septicemia, and African Swine Fever continue to disrupt production and trade in Taraba, significantly affecting farmers’ livelihoods and threatening food security,” Albert said.

He pointed out that delays in identifying outbreaks and gaps in communication between field officers make the situation worse.

His words: “What makes these outbreaks more devastating is the delay in detection and the gaps in reporting and coordination among field officers and response systems. This is why L-PRES is working to build a collaborative platform where all stakeholders can work together for effective surveillance and control.”

Albert added that L-PRES is not only focused on controlling diseases but also on strengthening Nigeria’s emergency response and making livestock farming more commercially viable.

Speaking at the event, Taraba State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Nicholas Namessan, affirmed the government’s support for the programme. He stressed the need for partnerships between the public and private sectors.

“Disease control should not be left to the government alone. We need continued collaboration with private animal health professionals, community leaders, and farmers to build a more resilient and productive livestock sector,” Namessan said.

FAO-led PPR Global Eradication Programme (GEP) provided updates on disease prevalence and control progress.

Lusaka, Zambia, hosted a crucial three-day meeting to develop a coordinated regional buffer zone to protect the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)—a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats

Taking place from August 25 to 27, 2025, the meeting brings together SADC veterinary authorities, the EU Representative to Zambia, AU-IBAR, and technical experts from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and FAO. It is part of the EU-funded PPR Eradication Programme (2023–2026) aimed at eliminating the disease across Africa.

Opening the event, Zambia’s Minister of Livestock, Honourable Kapala, stressed that livestock are more than food sources—they represent dignity, wealth, and social cohesion in African communities. He reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to investing in cross-border surveillance and buffer zones, but acknowledged ongoing challenges such as limited funding and overstretched veterinary systems. “Eradication is only possible if we work together—sharing best practices, harmonising our approaches, and supporting one another with the necessary resources,” he stated.

The FAO-led PPR Global Eradication Programme (GEP) provided updates on disease prevalence and control progress. Despite notable gains, PPR still affects more than 70 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, impacting over 300 million smallholder farmers. Global losses range from US$1.5 to US$2.1 billion annually, making eradication a critical part of achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Southern Africa has made strides. Five SADC countries and one zone in Namibia are already recognised as PPR-free by WOAH. Most member states have developed National Strategic Plans aligned with global and continental frameworks. However, proximity to PPR-endemic zones in East Africa and porous borders present ongoing threats, especially in communal grazing areas.

Across the three days, participants are focusing on regional risk mapping, surveillance strategies, vaccination logistics, and harmonised control of animal movement. The goal is to validate a Regional Action Plan, establish a SADC buffer zone map, and mobilise financial support.

The EU, a key funding partner, has pledged EUR 8 million through AU-IBAR and is considering a further EUR 50 million in grants and EUR 40 million in blended finance, conditional on strong political engagement from African governments.

This Lusaka meeting marks a turning point. It reinforces regional ownership of the fight against PPR and the importance of aligning with global eradication targets by 2030. The results will not only shield Southern Africa from future outbreaks but contribute to global food security, rural development, and livestock resilience.

Both MECs recognised the industry’s challenges but expressed optimism about its future

KwaZulu-Natal is moving forward with plans to revitalise its beef industry, following a high-level meeting involving government officials, agricultural specialists, and academics

Francois Rodgers, MEC for finance welcomed the session, which brought together Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, private sector experts, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Agriculture.

The focus was on boosting beef production, drawing in investment, and supporting rural economic growth. Critical concerns addressed included foot-and-mouth disease, increasing production costs, and the lack of financial access for emerging farmers.

Rodgers highlighted the vital role the industry plays in the province’s economy. “At least 45% of all beef in the province is located in rural areas and sustains thousands of livelihoods. This is a key industry that requires significant investment in line with our quest to develop an ethical and capable state,” he said. He added that beef farming contributes between 5–6% of KZN’s GDP, with strong potential for expansion and job creation.

Both MECs recognised the industry’s challenges but expressed optimism about its future. They committed to hosting a provincial beef industry indaba by the end of the year to align stakeholders around disease control, economic development, and rural upliftment.

The discussions will also include plans to assist the AmaZulu Royal House in becoming self-sufficient through beef farming. A framework for the indaba is currently being drafted, with more information to follow soon.

Tributyrin represents a critical advancement in gut health management.

As poultry farming continues to transition toward antibiotic-free systems, maintaining gut health has become a growing challenge.

The removal of antibiotics has led to increased issues such as dysbiosis, leaky gut, and enteric diseases, particularly during the early days of a chick’s life—a critical window for gut development and immune system establishment.

Several factors contribute to poor gut health in modern poultry systems. Feed ingredients contaminated with mycotoxins or anti-nutritional compounds can damage the intestinal lining and trigger chronic inflammation. Infections such as Clostridium perfringens and the growing resistance to anticoccidial drugs further aggravate the situation by compromising gut tissue and encouraging pathogenic growth. Environmental stressors like heat, overcrowding, transport, and feed transitions weaken the birds' natural defenses. In addition, rapid flock turnover creates instability, reducing the time for recovery and adaptation, which leaves birds more vulnerable to gut-related illnesses.

To address these challenges, nutritionists and poultry health experts are increasingly turning to biotic-based strategies. Among them, postbiotics, and in particular tributyrin, have emerged as a powerful tool for supporting gut health without the need for antibiotics. Tributyrin is a stable form of butyric acid that delivers direct benefits to the intestinal tract. It reaches the lower gut, where it plays a crucial role in strengthening the gut wall, reducing inflammation, and suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria by lowering intestinal pH. Unlike raw butyric acid, tributyrin has no offensive odor and is more effective thanks to its targeted delivery and greater stability during feed processing.

Tributyrin also enhances nutrient absorption and feed efficiency, supporting better weight gain and overall bird performance. Its unique ability to provide energy to intestinal cells while modulating the immune response makes it a valuable component in antibiotic-free poultry systems. When used alongside other biotics—such as prebiotics that feed beneficial bacteria and probiotics that introduce competitive microbes-tributyrin helps restore microbial balance and repair gut integrity from multiple angles.

The benefits of tributyrin are significantly enhanced when paired with Gastrointestinal Environment Harmonization (GEH) technology. GEH ensures controlled release and targeted action within specific regions of the gut, increasing the effectiveness of tributyrin while also protecting other biotic components through feed processing and digestion.

As the poultry industry continues to pursue sustainable and profitable production, tributyrin represents a critical advancement in gut health management. Its ability to reinforce the gut barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve performance-all without antibiotics-makes it an essential solution for modern poultry nutrition strategies focused on bird welfare, productivity, and long-term viability.