Abstract:
ABSTRACT
The principle objective of the study was to determine the tick- borne diseases constraints to livestock production
in Njiru District, Kenya. The survey was carried out in six locations, clusterly selected and spread across the
district. 120 livestock farmers were sampled into the study. Proportion to size sampling was done in all locations
for the study. Pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. The study results shows that tick infestation
affects livestock production especially in the prevalence of tick borne diseases (53 percent) followed by tick
infestation worry (45 percent), toxicosis (39 percent), and the cost of tick control especially acaricides costs 37.5
percent and mortality rate of the livestock 20.8 percent. The study results shows that tick infestation negatively
affect farmer’s livelihood. Tick infestation has impacted in reduction of income of farmers (72.5 percent) and
resulted to food insecurity (30 percent) with 1 percent seeking non-farm employment. The tick control measures
need to be strategized in the district especially provision of extension services and government veterinary
services.
Keywords: tick borne diseases, small holders, production, Kenya
