The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation has launched a National Free Vaccination Programme to safeguard the livestock sector and protect cattle, buffaloes and goats from major animal diseases.
The impact of Cyclone Ditwah caused extensive damage to the livestock sector across the country, resulting in numerous serious challenges, including the spread of infectious diseases among animals, emerging animal health issues, destruction of grazing lands, shortages of animal feed, and damage to livestock farms, infrastructure and livestock. As a consequence, domestic milk production declined, while many dairy farming families experienced significant losses to their livelihoods, posing a serious threat to the country’s overall food security.
A key objective of this programme is to control and prevent the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), which have a high risk of spreading rapidly among livestock, particularly during and following natural disasters. Through this programme, the Government expects to improve the health status of the national livestock population and strengthen the overall resilience and protection of the livestock sector.
A total of Rs. 152.305 million has been allocated for the vaccination programme, with the financial allocation distributed as follows:
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD): Rs. 79,275,000.00
• Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD): Rs. 73,030,000.00
• Total Cost: Rs. 152,305,000.00
The required vaccine stocks will be distributed free of charge to all Regional Veterinary Offices and Centres established at the district level. All cattle, buffalo and goat owners, as well as livestock farmers, are encouraged to present their animals for vaccination under this national programme and to actively contribute to safeguarding the country’s livestock resources and strengthening animal health and disease prevention.
The official launch ceremony was held under the patronage of Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, and Hon. Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. The vaccine stocks were formally handed over and received on behalf of the relevant institutions by Mr. D. P. Wickremasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation; Dr. Sisira Piyasiri, Additional Secretary (Livestock Development); Dr. Sanchika Perera, Director General, Department of Animal Production and Health; the Provincial Directors; and Mr. R. H. W. A. Kumarasiri, Project Director, IRDCRP.
The required stocks of vaccines will be distributed free of charge to all Regional Veterinary Offices/Centres established at the district level. All cattle, buffalo and goat owners, as well as livestock farmers, are requested to present their animals for vaccination under this free national vaccination programme and contribute to safeguarding the country’s livestock resources.
The official launch event was held under the patronage of Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, and Hon. Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. Representing the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. D. P. Wickremasinghe; Dr. Sisira Piyasiri, Additional Secretary (Livestock Development); and Dr. Sanchika Perera, Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Provincial Directors and Mr. R.H.W.A Kumarasiri, Project Director, IRDCRP, formally received the relevant vaccine stocks.
As part of the Government’s response to this emergency situation, measures were initiated to provide relief and support to farmers through the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) of the Integrated Rurban Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP), implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation with the support of the World Bank.
The national vaccination programme has been developed to protect the health of the livestock population by controlling the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters and other emergency situations.
Under the technical guidance of the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), the programme is being implemented island-wide in collaboration with the Provincial Departments of Animal Production and Health.
The inaugural ceremony of this national vaccination programme was held on 7 February at the Thirappane Animal Breeding Centre.
The impact of Cyclone Ditwah caused extensive damage to the livestock sector across the country, resulting in numerous serious challenges, including the spread of infectious diseases among animals, emerging animal health issues, destruction of grazing lands, shortages of animal feed, and damage to livestock farms, infrastructure and livestock. As a consequence, domestic milk production declined, while many dairy farming families experienced significant losses to their livelihoods, posing a serious threat to the country’s overall food security.
A key objective of this programme is to control and prevent the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), which have a high risk of spreading rapidly among livestock, particularly during and following natural disasters. Through this programme, the Government expects to improve the health status of the national livestock population and strengthen the overall resilience and protection of the livestock sector.
A total of Rs. 152.305 million has been allocated for the vaccination programme, with the financial allocation distributed as follows:
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD): Rs. 79,275,000.00
• Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD): Rs. 73,030,000.00
• Total Cost: Rs. 152,305,000.00
The required vaccine stocks will be distributed free of charge to all Regional Veterinary Offices and Centres established at the district level. All cattle, buffalo and goat owners, as well as livestock farmers, are encouraged to present their animals for vaccination under this national programme and to actively contribute to safeguarding the country’s livestock resources and strengthening animal health and disease prevention.
The official launch ceremony was held under the patronage of Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, and Hon. Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. The vaccine stocks were formally handed over and received on behalf of the relevant institutions by Mr. D. P. Wickremasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation; Dr. Sisira Piyasiri, Additional Secretary (Livestock Development); Dr. Sanchika Perera, Director General, Department of Animal Production and Health; the Provincial Directors; and Mr. R. H. W. A. Kumarasiri, Project Director, IRDCRP.
The required stocks of vaccines will be distributed free of charge to all Regional Veterinary Offices/Centres established at the district level. All cattle, buffalo and goat owners, as well as livestock farmers, are requested to present their animals for vaccination under this free national vaccination programme and contribute to safeguarding the country’s livestock resources.
The official launch event was held under the patronage of Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, and Hon. Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. Representing the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. D. P. Wickremasinghe; Dr. Sisira Piyasiri, Additional Secretary (Livestock Development); and Dr. Sanchika Perera, Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Provincial Directors and Mr. R.H.W.A Kumarasiri, Project Director, IRDCRP, formally received the relevant vaccine stocks.
As part of the Government’s response to this emergency situation, measures were initiated to provide relief and support to farmers through the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) of the Integrated Rurban Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP), implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation with the support of the World Bank.
The national vaccination programme has been developed to protect the health of the livestock population by controlling the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters and other emergency situations.
Under the technical guidance of the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), the programme is being implemented island-wide in collaboration with the Provincial Departments of Animal Production and Health.
The inaugural ceremony of this national vaccination programme was held on 7 February at the Thirappane Animal Breeding Centre.