Maasai farmers on tour of Scottish farms

Two Tanzanian farmers are touring Scotland in order to learn about preventable livestock diseases that threaten the livelihoods of their communities.

Scottish-based charity, Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines, has invited two Maasai from Northern Tanzania to undertake a week-long tour of Scottish farms.

As part of the tour they have met with HRH Princess Anne to discuss the importance of cattle in their society.

On Friday (13 March) the Maasai will visit farms in Ecclefechan, and Cummertrees as well as the Lockerbie Auction Market to view modern farming methods and share experiences.

“Without cows, the very existence of the Maasai is threatened,” said Ngayok Laizer, one of the Maasai visitors. “We would not be able to educate our children or get medical care, and would be reliant on food aid. We are grateful for the support of GALVmed in helping us maintain our traditional way of life.”

GALVmed is a not-for-profit global alliance currently funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

The charity is working with key partners to make a sustainable difference in access to animal health medicines for poor livestock keepers.

In a few months, GALVmed will launch a new ground-breaking vaccine to prevent East Coast Fever. The disease, prevalent in East, Central and Southern Africa, kills 1.1 million cattle every year.