Agriculture Ministry strengthens animal disease control to face El Niño

The Ministry of Agriculture is strengthening the animal disease control system through improved animal health services, vaccination, biosecurity, and vector control to maintain livestock productivity in the face of El Niño.

“Strengthening the animal health system is an important part of maintaining the resilience of the livestock sub-sector amidst changing climatic conditions,” said Director General of Livestock and Animal Health Agung Suganda in Banjarbaru on Friday.

According to him, changes in temperature and environmental conditions can affect the dynamics of animal disease spread, necessitating more structured and sustainable prevention measures on the ground.

“We are preparing medicines, vitamins, and strengthening the implementation of vaccinations to maintain livestock immunity and prevent the emergence of strategic infectious animal diseases,” he said.

He noted that vector control, targeting flies, mosquitoes, and ticks, is a focus of the Ministry because these vectors act as transmission media for a number of diseases affecting livestock in various regions.

He added that the strengthening of animal health services is supported by veterinary medical personnel and service facilities in the regions so that responses to potential outbreaks can be carried out more quickly.

“A strong animal disease control system is key to maintaining the sustainability of livestock production and the stability of the food supply from animal sources in the regions,” Agung Suganda stated.