BY: JOSEPHINE NAMAYANJA 19th /11/2019 Mentor: Prof. Susanna Sternberg-SLU • Veterinary drugs are vital as the ultimate strategy to treat animal infections • Proper utilization of drugs and chemicals in food animals provides economic benefits to both the consumer and producer • However, their inappropriate use may pose health hazards to the public through generation of residues that remain in tissues of treated animals at the time of consumption • This results into the development of resistance of previously susceptible microbial agents to treatment • The most common cause is failure to observe proper withdrawal periods following treatment • In Uganda, especially amongst the livestock farmers, the danger of veterinary drug residues is not clearly understood Main objective; Creating awareness on veterinary drug residues in milk amongst smallholder dairy farmers Specific objectives; • Assessment of farmers knowledge and practices regarding veterinary drug residues • Training farmers on the proper use of veterinary drugs, effects of drug residues and the benefits of producing milk free from drug residues • Mobilisation of farmers • Conducting a baseline survey • Development of training materials • Training of the farmers Project area • The project was conducted in Bubaare Sub-county, Mbarara district, located in southwestern Uganda • The district boarders Ibanda and Kiruhura Districts to the north; Kiruhura and Isingiro Districts to the east; Isingiro and Ntungamo Districts to the south; and Sheema District to the west. • As is the case with the majority of Ugandan districts, agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of Mbarara District, raising both crops and livestock • A baseline survey was conducted using a questionnaire guided interview- 6 farms randomly selected • Observations • The drugs considered for the project were the commonly used antibiotics Variable Category Frequency Age <50 years 6 (100%) >50 years 0 Gender Female 2 (33%) Male 4 (67%) Level of education No formal education 0 Primary education 1 (17%) Secondary education 3 (50%) Tertiary education 2 (33%) Type of farm Small scale 6 (100%) Large scale 0 Duration in farming business <5 years 0 >5 years 6 (100%) Variable Category Frequency Reason for antibiotic use To treat sick animals 6 (100%) To prevent diseases 0 To make animals grow faster 0 Use OTC Yes 6 (100%) No 0 Use Penistrep Yes 5 (83%) No 1 (17%) Use Gentamycin Yes 2 (33%) No 4 (67%) Information provided when No information provided 6 (100%) purchasing antibiotics Correct dosage 0 Directions for use 0 Storage instructions 0 Potential side effects 0 Expiry date 0 Factors considered when Price of antibiotic 0 purchasing antibiotics Availability of antibiotic 0 Prescription by veterinarian 6 (100%) Recommendation by other 0 farmers Variable Category Frequency Antibiotics divided in smaller doses for Yes 2 (33%) use in more animals No 4 (67%) Larger doses are used to get quick and Yes 0 more efficient treatment No 6 (100%) Animals treated the whole Yes 1 (17%) recommended time period No 5 (83%) How milk from animals still on Sold 0 treatment used Consumed 0 Given to calves 1 (17%) Discarded 5 (83%) How milk from animals that have been Sold 0 on treatment (24hrs) used Consumed 5 (83%) Given to calves 0 Discarded 1 (17%) Who administers the antibiotics Farmer 0 Veterinarian 2 (33%) Herdsman 4 (67%) Variable Category Frequency Failure to observe withdrawal periods can lead to Strongly agree 1 (17%) antibiotic residues in milk Agree 4 (67%) Don’t know 1 (17%) Disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0 It is best to throw away milk from animals on Strongly agree 1 (17%) treatment and shortly after treatment Agree 5 (83%) Don’t know 0 Disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0 Boiling can remove antibiotic residues from milk Strongly agree 0 Agree 0 Don’t know 2 (33%) Disagree 4 (67%) Strongly disagree 0 Milk from animals on treatment should be given to Strongly agree 0 calves Agree 1(17%) Don’t know 3 (50%) Disagree 2 (33%) Strongly disagree 0 Antibiotic residues in milk can cause resistant Strongly agree 0 bacteria which cannot be treated, leading to both Agree 2 (33%) animal and human diseases Don’t know 4 (67%) Disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0 Antibiotic residues can interfere with milk quality Strongly agree 0 tests such that bacteria in milk are not detected Agree 4 (67%) Don’t know 2 (33%) Disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0 • The survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of the dairy farmers with regards to drug withdrawal periods and veterinary drug residues • The survey showed that majority of the farmers had knowledge about the withdrawal periods and drug residues in milk • However, most of them do not observe the withdrawal periods fully • Training of farmers on prudent use of antibiotics and other veterinary drugs as well as biosecurity measures • Involving other stakeholders in the milk value chain • Conducting a follow-up to assess change in behavior of smallholder farmers with regards to the veterinary drug residues • Expanding the project to other sub counties of the district and later to other districts • Financial constraints • Unwillingness of farmers to respond to the interview Mbarara district veterinary staff ITP 2 participants Thank you for listening.