Locally Produced Poultry Vaccines Underway
Local poultry farmers, who for years have encountered unprecedented challenges with Newcastle syndrome and other related chicken illnesses, can now breathe a sigh of relief.
This is all thanks to Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), who promise to deliver record-breaking milestones for the country’s economic benefit through vaccine solutions. The two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to undertake the task of developing the Newcastle vaccine on Thursday.
Briefing the media in Gaborone, BVI general manager, Mr Andrew Madeswi said his institution researched and manufactured targeted vaccines for the management of infectious diseases, regionally and internationally. In particular, Mr Madeswi said BVI’s collaboration with BUIST is of keen interest because of the latter’s research focused nature, specifically on transboundary diseases and other diseases of public health and socio-economic importance in Botswana.
“This reverberates with key milestone activities devised to revamp BVI’s research and development department as articulated in the new 2021-2025 strategy plan to be launched soon,” he said.
He noted that the new strategic plan will be making the leap into human health as well as increase the institute’s research capabilities. Mr Madeswi further said BIUST will be a critical stakeholder for BVI, especially in exploiting the potential of indigenous medicinal knowledge for Batswana and their economic upliftment as well as the benefit of the economy of the country in view of export earning.
Meanwhile, BIUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo said the poultry business is growing rapidly in the country and a substantial number of small and subsistence farmers are taking up the opportunity.Prof. Totolo said these farmers stand a chance to benefit from the vaccines to safeguard their poultries against diseases.
He said the effort will also go a long way in supporting government’s poverty eradication scheme initiatives in poultry production.
“We have been working together and I wish to bring it to your attention that as a university, BIUST attaches a lot of value to collaborations and partnerships. Our view is that when like-minded organizations join hands, like we are doing today, they are deliberately placing themselves at a vantage position to reach unprecedented levels of achievement in their collective pursuits,” he emphasized.
Embedded in the MoU project is a series of related animal vaccines to be manufactured, ranging from cattle measles and heart water disease.
BOPA
