SHEIKH TECHNICAL VETERINARY SCHOOL (STVS)

Field work report on Wajaale, Hargeisa, and Berbera

Student Name: Abdirahman Mohamed Muse.Student No: 095.

Date of submission: June 30, 2011.

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DEDICATION

I dedicate this project to my family because of all the wonderful things they do for me and

supporting me all the way especially:

Hiddo Barre Ahmed

Safiyo Farah Gutale

Mohamed Muse Mohamed

Abdikarim Muse Mohamed

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, all praise to Allah who has given me health and time to participate in this field work with

my friends.

Also thanks to my supervisors in Wajaale, Hargeisa, and Berbera and all people in the visited

institutions for their bright collaborations and giving us their precious time and for providing us

with the information that we need.

Thanks to STVS administration for giving us the opportunity to go for this field tudy so as to

improve on our knowledge and skills in data collection and report writing.

I would l like to give special thanks to the people who contributed in the preparation of this

report and it will not be localized to them but extends to all individuals contributed to the

preparation of this book and some of them mentioned below:

1. Dr.Nuh Hajji Abdulle Tutor of Pathology and Pharmacology.

2. Dr.Hassan Izak Wajaale Supervisor.

3. Dr.Yusuf Hargeisa Supervisor.

4. Dr. Ahmed Burci Berbera Supervisor.

5. Heather Supervisor.

6. Joceyln English tutor.

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this is an original work undertaken on my efforts and has not been presented anywhere for examination purposes to the best of my knowledge. No part of this publication should be reproduced in part or wholly by means of photocopying or recording, without prior permission of the author and Sheikh Technical Veterinary School.

Name………………………………………………. Sign……………………………..

Supervisor sign……………………………

List of Abbreviations

FMD: Foot and Mouth Disease

PPP: Public private partnership

PPR: Peste des Petits Ruminants

RP: Rinder Pest

STVS: Shiekh Technical Veterinary School

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Table of ContentsDEDICATION................................................................................................................................ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..............................................................................................................iii

DECLARATION............................................................................................................................iv

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO FIELD WORK..............................................................1

1.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background to the Study.......................................................................................................1

1.2 Overall Objectives.................................................................................................................3

1.3 Methodology..........................................................................................................................3

1.4 Expected outputs....................................................................................................................3

CHAPTER TWO: ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE FIELD..................................4

2.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................4

2.1 Wajaale..................................................................................................................................4

2.1.1 Wajaale Livestock Market..............................................................................................4

2.1.2 Wajaale Milk Market......................................................................................................6

2.1.3 Wajaale Slaughterhouse..................................................................................................7

2.1.4 FMD Vaccination...........................................................................................................7

2.1.5 Treatment of Animals.....................................................................................................8

2.2 Hargeisa.................................................................................................................................9

2.2.1 Hargeisa Livestock Market.............................................................................................9

2.2.2 Hargeisa Milk Market...................................................................................................10

2.2.3 Mandeeq Slaghterhouse................................................................................................11

2.3 Berbera.................................................................................................................................12

2.3.1 Infrastructures of Berebra quarantine...........................................................................12

2.3.2 Departments at Berbera Quarantine..............................................................................12

2.3.3 Certification..................................................................................................................13

SECTION THREE: CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND LESSONS LEARNT.......14

3.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................14

3.1 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................14

3.2 Recommendation.................................................................................................................15

3.3 Lessons Learnt.....................................................................................................................15

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO FIELD WORK.

1.0 Introduction

This section gives the background information to the field study and the different study areas. It

also contains the overall objective, specific objectives, methodology and expected outputs.

1.1 Background to the Study

As usual, STVS students were sent to do field work at the end of this academic year.This report

is the result of field work carried out by STVS second year students.Students left the school on

29th- June 2011 and returned on 13rd-July 2011. The visited areas were Wajeele, Hargisa, and

Berbera and the institutions visited were the livestock and veterinary sector. In each visited

institution students performed certain activities and observed sytems in which these instituation

use to maintain their work reguraly.

Materials used by the students during the field were: pens, books, aprons, glooves, syringes,

needle, disinfectants, drugs and camera.

Background to the Study Areas

This field study was conducted in three different areas; Hargeisa which is the capital city of

Somaliland, Wajaale which located on the border of Ethiopia and Somaliland and its business

center and Berbera which is a seaport town.

Figure 1: The map of Somaliland showing the Study areas

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Wajaale Background Information

Wajaale also known as Togwajaale is located in the western part of Somaliland, 80km away

from Hargisa. It is the strategic business center, and the busiest town in Somaliland. It is located

at the border of Somnaliland and Ethiopia.Wajaale acts as the main transaction area for these two

countries. Wajaale population is estemited to be more than 15,000 and the city has an area of

4km2. The place recieves considerablely more rainfall than other parts of the country. Its

temperature varies with season and it’s between 140C and 280C.The district has several unique

characteristics like; it is an agricultural area, electricity is available day and night and cattle are

the most species reared in the region.

Hargeisa Background Information

Hargeisa is the capital city of Somaliland and it was the colonial capital of British Somaliland

from 1941 to 1960, when it united with Italian Somalia to form the Somali Republic. It is the

largest city in the Somaliland region and the second largest city in Somalia after Mogadishu, the

nation's capital. Hargeisa is located in a valley in the western section of the country. The city is

in a mountainous area because it is situated in an enclosed valley of the Galgodon (Oogo)

highlands, at an elevation of 1,334 meters (4,377 ft) above sea level. The temperature ranges

between 130C and 320C.Hargeisa is the financial center to many entrepreneurial industries

ranging from food processing, a fully operational slaughter house, livestock and milk markets,

gem stonecutters, construction, retail, import and export companies, internet cafes, and money

transfer companies.

Berbera Background Information

Berbera is a coastal city and acts as the biggest seaport for Somaliland. It is also the regional

capital of the Sahil region. The city is bordered by the Gulf of Aden, and the Somaliland regions

of Woqooyi, Galbeed, Togdheer and Awdal.

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1.2 Overall Objectives

The overall objectives is to promote student’s skills of data collection, processing, and

presentation as well as enhancing their communication skills and aplying their theorotical lessons

that they have learnt in the classes.

Specefic Objectives

The specific objectives of this field work were:

1. To identify the presence of certain diseases through general clinical examination and then

design procedures for treating and vaccinating the animals

2. To study the challenges faced by key livestock stakeholders in the area of the study.

3. To know the infrastructure of livestock market and the role of each market actors.

1.3 Methodology

In order to achieve the above objectives the following methods were used:

Interview

Observation

Questionaire

1.4 Expected outputs

Field report

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CHAPTER TWO: ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE FIELD

2.0 Introduction

The sites visited during the field were Wajaale specificy Livestock market, milk market, slaghter

house also students performes activities in Wajaale such as; vaccinationa and treatment. In

Hargeisa the visited areas were livestock market, milk market and Maandeeq slaghterhouse. In

Berebera the visited areas were mainly the quarantine and its components including; Labrotary

section, holding grounds, reception zone , and quarantine grounds.

2.1 Wajaale

2.1.1 Wajaale Livestock Market

Wajaale livestock market is the largest and busiest market in Somaliland and these

charecteristics is due to its location between the border of Somaliland and Ethiopia. It acts as the

main livestock market for the two countries.

Wajaale livestock market is located in the western part of the city in a flat area without fence and

it recieves animals from Ethopia including; Jigjiga,Eegato, Sijeedo, and Wajaale areas. The

market operates from 6:00am to 10:00am but depends on the number of animals available.

Animals in the market were mostly cattle and are divided into two groups: Vaccinated bulls

which are exported to Yemen and unvaccinated bulls which are exported to Saudi Arabia, Dubai

and Oman. This year, cattle exported to Yemen decreased tremendiously due the prolonged

violence. During the study, it was observed that sheep and goats in the market were of good

grade. This could be due to the fact that, the owners select the best so as to fetch higher prices in

the market. Cattle are the most animals sold in the market because cattle can survive in a

location where the water and pasture are plenty but camel are absent from the market as well as

the region.

Features and Facilities of Wajaale Livestock Market

Wajaale livestock market is located in a flat area without fence but it has some basic fundemental

facilities including:

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Pens: Which are very large and is used to keep bulls before they are vaccinated and

exported via Berbera port and it is where the bulls are fed and watered.

Crash: It’s a modern method which is faster and easier than the other methods and is

used to restrain bulls when they are vaccinated, it protects both the bulls and the

vaccinators from the injury.

Ramps: Which are used to unload cattle especially bulls when brought to the market and

uploaded after they are vaccinated and transported to Berbera port for exportation.

Restaurants: Which is small in size and number and used to provide tea and soft food to

the market actors.

Animal Prices in Wajaale livestock Market.

Animal prices are determined usually by grading the animals according to their body condition.

Seemingly, prices are also determined according to age for, the mature bulls are of higher prices

than the young ones. This is illustrated in table 1 below.

Mature bull Grades Price in USD Young bull Grades Price in USD

Grade 1. 740$ Grade 1. 230$

Grade 2. 440$ Grade 2. 160$

Grade 3. 320$ Grade 3. 100$

Table 1: Shows the price and the grades of mature and young bulls

Role of Brokers in Wajaale Livestock Market

Price negotiation and convincing both producers and the exporters.

Ensures the health of animals brought to the market when the veterinarians are absent in

the market.

Facilitates producers to sell their animals promptly.

Role of Producers in Wajaale Livestock Market

Supplies the market with animals

Serves as main vehicle and mechanism that regulate market activities.

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Acts as main source of taxes to the governments.

Constraints of Wajaale Livestock Producers

Lack of veterinary drugs and services.

Natural constarins such as; drought and floods.

Lack of knowledge on proper drug usage.

Constraints of Wajaale Livestock Market

Poor road which made difficult for market actors to access the market at right time.

Lack of shelter in the market.

Lack of sufficient number of veterinary inspectors.

2.1.2 Wajaale Milk Market

Wajaale milk market is located in the center of the city and it operates starting from 09:00am to

5:00pm, depending on the amount of milk brought to the market. The source of milk is mainly

from Wajaale and sorrounding areas. Milk from far places is transported on trucks. However,

during wet seasons where by there is plenty of water and pasture thus increasing on the milk

production, producers bring the milk to this market on foot. At such times, a lot of milk is wasted

since supply is higher than demand. Cattle milk is mostly sold in the market and also in the

streets in metalic containers while camel milk is sold in the restaurants. Wajaale milk market is

not just a market for milk, it is also mixed with other commodities such as clothes and small

super markets.The size of the market is very small, crowded and becomes very wet during rainy

seasons and it’s likely to cause disease outbreaks and milk contamination. Milk containers are

mainly plastic and few traditional containers locally known as Hammo.

Constraints of Wajaale Milk Market

Lack of shelter in the market.

Poor hygiene that leads to high rates of milk contaimination and spoilage.

Low supply of milk

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2.1.3 Wajaale Slaughterhouse

Wajaale slaughterhouse is located in the western part of the city, constructed a fence without a

roof. Only sheep and goats are slaughtered inside while camels are slaughtered behind the

slaughterhouse. Initially the dogs and cats were an obstecle to the slaughterhouse workers but

after the fence and the gates were constructed the operation returned to normal and organised

way. Disposal area are close to the slaughterhouse and progressively extends towards the

slaughterhouse and already it covered cattle slaughter area.

Constraints of Wajaale Slaughterhouse

Lack of protective equipments including; and plastic boots

Lack of shedding areas

Insufficient water and light

Increased population of dogs causes discomfort to slaughterhouse workers

2.1.4 FMD Vaccination

FMD is a highly infectious disease that affects Artiodytilla and domestic animals caused by

Opthovirus that belongs to family of Picornoviridae. FMD has seven serotypes known as SAT1,

SAT2, SAT3, A, O, C, and ASIA1. Although FMD is not common in the region, the vaccination

has to take place as a prerequisite for exporting animals. Only bulls that are exported to Yemen

are vaccinated due to a request from this country since most of the animals are exported there.

FMD vaccination is also known as Fotivax which is an inactivated vaccine and produced by

Kenya veterinary vaccine production center. Vaccination programs vary according to diseases

and species affected. The government carries out vaccinations when importing countries requests

to vaccinate animals against a certain disease or in case of disease outbreak and also it provides

regular vaccination against trade limiting diseases such as; FMD, PPR, RP, CBPP, CCPP, and

Blue tongue. More than 70 bulls were vaccinated and also estimated the body weight of several

bulls was estimated under supervision of supervisors.

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Instruction of FMD Vaccination

The vaccine was bought by the Ministry of livestock and is kept under refrigeration in at

temperature of 4oC and it is shaken before inoculation. Fotivax is administered 3ml/animal in

cattle with no regard of sex, age and weight, should be re-administered after six month as

booster.

2.1.5 Treatment of Animals

After receiving complaints about sick animals from Wajaale people, students went to such places

and performed general clinical examination except sampling. Animals were male and female

shoats and their body conditions varied from moderate to emaciated.

General Clinical Examination Prior to treatment

The first clinical examination done was history taking and through it owners were asked several

questions like; disease progress, any treatment given, and the kind of treatment given, the

feedback of treatment and if there was morbidity and mortality and also if it is the herd or an

individual problem. The second step was palpation of external lymph nodes and examination of

membranes also temperature taking, respiratory rate, and heartbeats were taken.

The clinical signs from the animals were emaciation, nasal discharge and lacremetion. After all

these parameters taken into consideration the drug regimen was designed. Albendazole bolous

adminstered orally and Alamycin 20% (long acting antiobiotics) 3ml according to body weight

injected intermascualar were given.

Challenges faced by the owners of the animals

Lack of drugs and insufficient knowledges of drug adminstration.

Poor veterinary services.

Lack of assistance from the Livestock Ministry.

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2.2 Hargeisa

2.2.1 Hargeisa Livestock Market.

Hargeisa livestock market is located at the center of the city and it receives livestock from the

surrounding areas. Animals sold in the market are sheep, goats, cattle, and camel. It was

obsereved that al animals for sell had good body conditions and had been organized in groups of

same species. Those meant for export were separated from those to be locally consumed.

Animals transported from Hargeisa livestock market to Berbera port are all males of different

species to be exported to Yemen, Dubai, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Animals that are consumed locally are females of different species and they undergo a process

from the producer to consumer. Mandeeq slaughterhouse has a role in the slaughtering of such

animals. When animals are brought to the market by the producers by truck or on foot, the

brokers play their role of facilitating exchange between producers and exporters or butchers. The

butchers bought animals and transfer to Mandeeq slaughterhouse where animals undergo

antimorterm inspection and later undergo postmorterm inspection after they are slaughtered.The

role of market actors are the same as Wajaale livestock market (see section 2.1.1 of this report).

Features and Facilities in the Market

There are several features and facilities that reinforces the activities of the market to operate in a

smooth and organized way. The following are some of them:

Shedding Areas: is used as sheltering for people and animals in the market.

Pens: Which is used to keep animals before they are transported to Mandeeq

slaughterhouse.

Buses: It is used to transport people and their materials to and from the market.

Local Government Offices: Which is used to tax animals in the market.

Mandeeq Slaughterhouse Offices: Which is used to collect slaughtering taxes from the

animals intended in local consumption.

Ramps: Which is used to unload animals especially cattle when they are brought to the

market and upload when they are transported from the market.

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Animal Prices in the market

Animal prices are vary according to species, demand, supply, and body condition and also

according to their body condition. Grades can be given including; Grade A, Grade B, and Grade

C and every grade has certain price as shown in table 2 below.

Sheep and Goats

Grades

Prices in USD Camel Grades Prices in USD

Grade A $50 Garde A $600

Grade B $35 Grade B $450

Grade C $25 Grade C $280

Table 2: Shows the prices of Sheep, Goats, and Camel and their grades.

Role of Veterinarians in Hargiesa Livestock Market.

They carry out inspection.They prevent pregnanat females and diseased animals from

being sold in the market.

They ensure the general health of animals sold in the market.

They help owners to understand to differentiate normal animals from abnormal.

Constraints of Hargeisa Livestock Market.

Shedding areas are inadequate.

Keds locally known as Gafane bites people and animals in the market.

The location of the market is undesirable.

The pens are inadequate and very contaminated.

2.2.2 Hargeisa Milk Market

Hargiesa milk market is located in the northen part of the city and it has two main milk markets

known as Gobanimo and Waheen. The market operates from 8:00am up to 8:00pm. Most milk

that is sold in the market is cattle milk since cattle can survive in this region. There is also sheep,

goats, and camel milk. The milk market receives milk from sorrounding areas in Hargeisa and

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are transported to the market by cars since the milk suppliers are very far from the city. The milk

containers are plastic containers. When milk is bought to the market, sellers pour milk into

metalic containers to destribute it to certain points in the city since milk consumers are unable to

reach the main market at the right time. As milk passes through these transportation processes

from the main milk market to small zones in the center of the city the price of the milk

increases. Hargiesa milk market acts as a main source of income for more than 70 women. Milk

sellers use fire in the market to decontaiminate cattle milk to ensure human safety.

Milk Market NGOs

There are several NGOs like NAFAQO and IRKAD in the market that provide basic needs for

the market such as; water, sanitation,and disposal tunks. They also monitor the hygiene of the

milk brought to the market while controlling milk activities in the market.

Constraints of Milk Market.

There were a lot of flies in the market that can contaiminate the milk

Poor hygiene in the market.

Lack of trucks that transports wates from the market.

Fire in the market can cause damage to the market.

2.2.3 Mandeeq Slaghterhouse

Mandeeq is privately owned slaughterhouse by Somaliland citizens who are dedicated to socio-

economic development of the country. It was founded on 25th-March 2005. It operates starting

from 1:00pm up to 6:00am. Hygiene, transportation and the distribution of meat are sponsored

by Mandeeq enterprise which is based on the principles of public private partnership (PPP).

Trucks and cars were donated by the Government. Mandeeq levies charges for hygiene and the

transportation of camel carcasses for $1.00 and and $0.50 for small ruminantss. The

slaughterhouse has its own facilities such as; water, lights, and trucks. Every night more than 900

small ruminants and 100 of cattle and camel are slaughtered. Sheep and goats are slaughtered

inside while cattle and camel are slaughtered in a separate place.

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Constraints of Mandeeq Slaughterhouse

Lack of financial assitance and investement.

Low number of trucks that transports carcass.

Lack of protective equipments such as plastic bags

Water shortage in the Mandeeq Slaughterhouse

Insufficient number of inspectors.

2.3 Berbera

2.3.1 Infrastructures of Berebra quarantine

During the field study, the students visited in Berbera quarantine station to observe how the

station works and also look at the quarantine infrastructure. The quarantine is composed of the

following infrustructure:

Gates: Berbera quarantine has two gates one at the front door and anonther at the back.

Holding grounds: Which are used to keep animals when they get in the quarantine to

perform inspection and it is where diseased animals or animals showing clinincal signs

and rejected and good body conditioned and healthy animals are permitted to undergo

further inspection.

Quarantine grounds: Which is used to rest animals maximum for 10 days and it is

where animals get water and feed. Traders are charged $7.00 per animals.

Laboratory: Which composed of two main called Bacteriological and serological

department.

2.3.2 Departments at Berbera Quarantine

Serology department

This department is only for virus isolation and as well as virus culture and it deals with the

detection of diseases familiar with the region including; FMD, PPR, RP, and Rift Valley Fever.

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Bacteriology department

The role of this department is differentiation, characterization and isolation of bacterial species

that affects livestock and can cause outbreak at any time. It is the only department that operates

properly on daily bases since the blood collected from the animals in Berbera quarantine are

brought to this department and perform several tests such as Rose Bengal test and Milk ring tests

which are two familiar tests for the detection of Brucellosis.

2.3.3 Certification

Importing countries like Dubai and Saudi Arabia require certificate of health from the exporting

countries like Somaliland to satisfy the buyers and also to ensure the health of animals being

imported. Health certificate ensures that the animals are free from diseases and also fit for human

consumption.

Livestock exporters required fulfill certain conditions so as to be able to get the certification of

health, if there is no health certification the animals will not leave from the Berbera port. After

animals are inspected by veterinarians a health certificate is given to the traders before the

shipment.

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SECTION THREE: CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND LESSONS LEARNT

3.0 Introduction

This section entails the conclusion to the study, reccomendations and lessons learnt.

3.1 Conclusion

Students visited three different areas: Wajaale, Hargeisa, and Berbera. The field work was

successfull and we got the greatest opportunity of having a hands on experince.

Vaccination programmes in Wajaale were limited due to decreased demand of cattle from the

exporting countries especially Yemen due to the current political instability. Despite this,

students vaccinated more than 70 bulls and weighed some of their body weight. There were

several problems that were identified during the study. These included; poor roads that hindered

smooth transportation of livestock and its products to the market and poor hygiene especially in

Wajaale milk and livestock market. Also there was inadequate supply of water and light in

Wajaale slaughter house.

The location of Hargeisa livestock market is not located in a suitable place as it is in the center of

the city. Due to the various businesss that are on-going on here, there is heavy traffic that slows

down the trucks carrying livestock. On the other hand, in the Maandeed slaughter house, the

tendency of slaughtering pregnant animals was very common. Seemingly, Hargeisa milk market

and Maandeeq slughterhouse had inadequate number of trucks that transport wastes and rubbish.

There are very few veterinary inspectors in Hargeisa yet this is one of the main livestock centers

in Somaliland.

Of the three study areas visited, Berebera was the most organized. Part from having a well

equipped latoratory, the workers in the palce follow strick procedures and process that make it

very easy for the exporters to process certificates for their animals. Seeming, given the way

activities were operating, it is evident that the workers here have undergone some training.

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3.2 Recommendation

After having seen the obstacles to improved livestock services in the locations we visited, I

suggest the following recommendations:

Government should design roads to both Wajaale livestock and milk market.

Government should prevent slaughtering of pregnant females in the slaughterhouses.

Trucks that tends to transport wastes and rubbish from the market should be provided in

Hargeisa milk market and Mandeeq Slaughterhouse.

Skilled veterinary inspectors should be sent to Mandeeq Slaughterhouse.

Water and light should be provided to Wajaale slaughterhouse.

3.3 Lessons Learnt

It was the first time that we have handled a case of sick animals and treated them without

supervision or teacher.

Restraining of cattle and vaccinated it.

Drug adminstration and weight estimation.

Practicing of setting the automatic syringes.

We learned how vaccine is stored and adminstered into animals

Learning how the Berbera quarantine operates.

Enhacing the knowledge of group working.

References:

1: Internet training programme for Somali Veterinary Professionals 1999-2001. Page No.16-

20 published by Terra Nouva.

2: http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Somalia/Somaliland/Hargeisa/

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