Historical review of successive tsetse control activities and policies in Western Kenya, in reference to impact on natural resources. R6

Olet Pamela A.. 2003. Historical review of successive tsetse control activities and policies in Western Kenya, in reference to impact on natural resources. R6. Bruxelles : European Union, 42 p. Autre type de numéro : PROJECT N°7.ACP.RP.R.578, N° de rapport : FITCA EMMC N°R6

Résumé : In Kenya, the government has been the major player in the control of tsetse and trypanosomosis since the 1940s. The most important effect of trypanosomosis is the disease impact on the livestock industry. The policy was that active tsetse control was necessary in the sleeping sickness disease areas. Partial bush clearing and strategic trypanocide use was then adopted for the rest of the count ry. Control was based on establishment of settlement schemes distributed in all the affected districts. These methods make land available far more quickly than it can be effectively settled. Most tsetse control programs have failed in the past as they were not sustainable and reinvasion of cleared land occurred. An overriding constraint to tsetse and trypanosomosis control in Kenya is the cost and its regional nature of distribution. The long history of the tsetse control as a Government responsibility made it difficult for farmers to adjust to the policy change which marked the advent of cost sharing and private sector involvement in the delivery of veterinary services. Moreover the tools available for tsetse controls were either not appropriate for community participation or were of environmental concern. The concern was not only on their impact on the environment but also about their relation to ecology, l and utilization, health and rural development in general. These methods caused vegetation and soil degradation, changes in biological diversity and affected human health. Farmer based technologies like use of artificial and live baits could have promoted livestock wildlife coexistence. However, there are promising developments in the successes of insecticide impregnated traps, protected zero grazing units and cattle sprays which are simple, inexpensive but effectively control tsetse and avoids environmental contamination. The Veterinary department, with the involvement of major stakeholders is currently preparing a tsetse and trypanosmosis control strategy that will encourage the involvement of communities and the private sector using appropriate techniques. The implementation of Farming in Tsetse Controlled Areas (FITCA), a rural development project that focussed on tsetse control and livestock productivity in the traditional sleeping sickness areas was a major shifton the government policy. Successive past policies in Western Kenya, which relied heavily on reclamation of tsetse infested land but without proper land use planning and environmental considerations are being reviewed to integrate environmental monitoring. The interaction between livestock and poverty issues cannot be considered independently from other factors like food, fuel, water, human health and commercial markets. FITCA concept encourages these interactions. The recommendations of the Organization of African Unity, heads of states (Lome, Togo, 2000) for the eradication of tsetse and Trypanosomosis has increased the donor sensitivity to administration and environmental implications of tsetse eradication. Future development priorities must focus on measures capable of achieving greater productivity in the context of existing farming systems through adequate environmental management designs. The current activities of Lake basin Development Authority (LBDA) in sleeping sickness foci and threatening recovery of tsetse populations in western Kenya stresses the need to incorporate tsetse control in development plans.

Classification Agris : L72 - Organismes nuisibles des animaux
L73 - Maladies des animaux
L01 - Élevage - Considérations générales
P01 - Conservation de la nature et ressources foncières

Auteurs et affiliations

• Olet Pamela A.

Source : Cirad-Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/576811/)

Métriques

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