Gombe Livestock Vaccination: Farmers Praise Initiative, Others Await Benefits

Pastoralists and livestock farmers in Gombe State have commended the state government’s livestock vaccination campaign for helping to protect their animals against diseases, although some herders say the exercise has yet to reach their communities.

The statewide vaccination campaign for 2025/2026, launched on October 7, is aimed at improving livestock health, reducing animal mortality and protecting the livelihoods of pastoralists and livestock farmers who depend on their animals for income.

Some beneficiaries who spoke to LEADERSHIP said the initiative was a timely intervention that could reduce losses caused by preventable livestock diseases. However, others expressed concern that they had yet to access the vaccination services.

At the launch of the campaign, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, who represented Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said livestock diseases had implications not only for animal production but also for human health, particularly through the consumption of animal products and close contact between humans and animals.

The vaccination exercise targets major livestock diseases, including Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).

Jatau said the state government had introduced measures to strengthen veterinary services and improve livestock development.

He noted that the government had established a Ministry of Livestock Development in line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while veterinary clinics across the state had been renovated and equipped.

For farmers who have benefited from the campaign, the intervention offers hope of reducing the financial losses associated with livestock diseases, which can destroy years of investment within a short period.

A livestock farmer in Tunfure, Akko Local Government Area, Muazu Mohammed, said his animals had been vaccinated and commended the government for the intervention.

He said improved access to veterinary services and preventive treatment could help farmers protect their herds and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

“The initiative is good, and can help prevent diseases,” he said.

Another pastoralist in Bomala also welcomed the exercise, saying it provided livestock owners with an opportunity to protect their animals against preventable diseases.

He added that sustained vaccination and veterinary support would help improve livestock production and protect the livelihoods of herders.

However, the campaign appears not to have reached all livestock owners, with some farmers in other communities reporting that they were yet to benefit.

A herder in Billiri, Abdullahi Isa, said he had not seen vaccination officials in his area despite hearing about the government’s initiative.

Similarly, a livestock farmer in Tudun Wada, Sulaiman Kasimu, urged the government to extend the exercise to remote settlements where pastoralists often face difficulties accessing veterinary services.

The farmers stressed that equitable access to vaccination, sustained veterinary support and effective monitoring would be essential to ensuring that the campaign achieved its objectives.

The initiative forms part of the state government’s broader efforts to strengthen animal health and protect livestock-dependent livelihoods.

At the campaign launch, government officials also highlighted improvements in livestock health indicators, including a reported decline in animal mortality in recent years.

However, the farmers said the long-term success of the programme would depend on consistent vaccination, accessible veterinary services and effective monitoring to ensure that livestock owners across the state benefited from the intervention.