As part of PULCCA project: Gov't launches mass poultry vaccination in Northern regions.

The mass vaccination campaign, officials said, is part of the Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis in Cameroon, PULCCA.

It targets 500,000 village-raised poultry across the Far North, North, and Adamawa Regions. It took place June 3, at the Mbe Council.

The official ceremony took place in the Vina Division of the Adamawa Region. It was presided over by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Jaji Manu Gidado. He launched the campaign on behalf of Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taïga. 

In his keynote address, the Secretary General reiterated government’s commitment to safeguarding rural livelihoods and ensuring food security. 

“The State is providing the means, but the success of this campaign depends on the engagement of every farmer,” he stressed, echoing the call for grassroots mobilisation made by the governor.

The vaccination campaign, the official said, is free of charge and will be carried out by mobile teams of veterinarians and animal health technicians. 

The teams, he added, will embark on a door-to-door strategy, reaching even the remotest villages, thanks to strong collaboration with traditional rulers, local authorities, and community groups.

He noted that through the free vaccination campaign, government, supported by its technical and financial partners, aims to strengthen the resilience of farmers, improve productivity, reduce losses, and contribute to long-term food security

According to one of the campaign’s supervising veterinarians, the initiative is more than a technical operation. The official said it is a coordinated effort to protect livelihoods and build long-term resilience. 

He noted that by preventing disease outbreaks, the government hopes to reduce poultry mortality, improve productivity, and stimulate local trade.

Stakeholders at all levels from government officials to village leaders have called for community engagement to ensure the campaign’s success. 

Equally farmers have been urged to open their farms to veterinary teams, report signs of illness early, and participate in awareness activities.

Need to safe sector under threat

Traditional poultry farming, it should be said, primarily involves chickens, guinea fowl, and turkeys which are more than just a source of meat and eggs in these regions. 

It plays a central role in household income, nutrition, and cultural practices, particularly in rural communities.

However, the sector has long been vulnerable to recurring diseases such as avian influenza, Gumboro disease, and fowl pox, which have led to devastating losses among smallholder farmers.

According to experts, these diseases can wipe out entire flocks in days, severely impacting both the local economy and national poultry supply.

The campaign, they say comes at a critical time when the effects of climate change and regional instability continue to challenge food production systems in northern regions of the country. 

Experts disclosed that with this initiative, they hope is that this large-scale health intervention will not only protect animals but also reinforce the fight against hunger and poverty.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3471 of Thursday June 12, 2025