The Ministry of Agriculture has invited all sub-district heads in Indonesia to take part in handling the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that has spread to 21 provinces in the country.
“We cannot face the FMD outbreak if it is only one sector or ministry that moves. We must be together and integrated with one another,” Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo stated here on Friday.
According to the minister, the role of sub-district heads to act as the vanguards is crucial in FMD handling. He assessed that subdistrict heads are the ones that know their areas well, including the needs and expectations of the community in their areas.
To this end, Limpo expressed optimism that sub-district heads would improve their understanding of handling FMD in accordance with the applicable regulation.
He stated that the Ministry of Agriculture ensures that FMD handling continues to be conducted maximally.
Limpo noted that his ministry had provided medicines, vitamins, antibiotics, and vaccines for farm animals. The ministry also continues to strive to develop locally-made FMD vaccines.
The minister pointed out that hard work in handling FMD through the provision of medicines and vitamins to animals infected with FMD had yielded positive results since several infected animals had started to recover. Another effort made is disinfecting cages and the surrounding areas.
Head of the Agricultural Human Resources Training and Development Agency (BPPSDMP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dedi Nursyamsi, remarked that the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Ministry of Home Affairs and others, were currently working hand in hand and synergizing in dealing with FMD in 21 provinces.
He reminded sub-district heads that livestock, such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, and others, which are in FMD red zones, must stay in cages.
He underlined that in handling FMD, dissemination and advocacy should also be conducted to members of the public, so that they do not panic over confusing information.
Nursyamsi affirmed that currently, the government is revving up the FMD vaccination program across the country amid the increasing mobility of farm animals for the Qurbani (animal sacrifice) ritual on Eid al-Adha.
“Our alertness and compliance are crucial in preventing the spread of FMD to places that are still disease-free,” he remarked.
Source: Antara News