Tsetse Fly Control in Senegal Transforms Livestock Production, Increasing Income by 45%
For decades, the presence of tsetse flies in Senegal’s Niayes region has severely hindered livestock production. These insects transmit trypanosomosis, a debilitating disease that has historically reduced cattle productivity and forced farmers to rely on low-yield, disease-tolerant breeds. By 2007, infection rates in some herds reached as high as 28%, significantly impacting both income and food production.
In response to this pressing issue, the Government of Senegal, with assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), initiated a long-term campaign aimed at controlling the tsetse fly. This initiative, implemented over more than a decade, utilized a phased, adaptive approach that combined conventional vector control methods—such as insecticide-treated traps and cattle treatments—with the sterile insect technique (SIT). This nuclear-based method suppresses insect populations by releasing sterilized males.
The campaign began with feasibility studies in 2006 and progressed to operational phases starting in 2012. It successfully reduced tsetse populations in the Niayes by over 99%, effectively eliminating the disease from most areas. The initiative was executed in collaboration with local institutions, including the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA) and national veterinary services, as well as France’s Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD). Financial backing also came from the United States and France through the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative.
From Intervention to Evidence
After more than a decade of sustained field activities, two socio-economic impact assessments were conducted—one supported by FAO and the other by CIRAD—to evaluate changes in livestock systems and rural livelihoods in the absence of the tsetse fly. The studies were carried out by agro-economists from the Bureau d’Analyses Macro-Économiques (BAME) at ISRA, in collaboration with social scientists and entomologists from CIRAD.
The assessments indicated that vector suppression has significantly transformed livestock production systems in the Niayes region, leading to notable improvements in productivity, income, and animal health. Adji Maréme Gaye, an Epidemiologist at the FAO office in Senegal, emphasized the importance of sustaining these achievements, stating that strategic investments and partnerships can drive long-term change in Senegal’s livestock sector.
Transforming Livestock Systems
With trypanosomosis under control, farmers quickly adapted their practices. Previously, only trypanotolerant local breeds could survive; however, the absence of the disease allowed for the introduction of higher-yield dairy and meat cattle.
Before the intervention, exotic breeds constituted just 1.5% of herds. Today, they account for over 27% in certain farming systems. Concurrently, herd sizes have decreased by up to 49%, reflecting a shift towards more efficient, market-oriented production systems that exert less pressure on land and natural resources.
The modern dairy farming sector has also expanded rapidly. Since 2017, 904 modern dairy farms have been established in the Niayes region, representing nearly three-quarters of such operations nationwide. This transformation has led to dramatic productivity gains, with milk sales in some systems increasing from just 157 liters to over 2,100 liters per cow annually, driven by the growing presence of higher-yield exotic breeds.
Measurable Economic and Health Gains
The socio-economic assessments reveal significant improvements in both productivity and incomes:
- 45% increase in household income from livestock production
- 61% increase in income from milk sales
- 63% reduction in the cost of treating trypanosomosis
- Marked declines in cattle mortality and morbidity
By 2024, over 11,900 exotic cattle had been introduced, including nearly 6,000 dairy cows supported through government programs. Milk production from these animals surged from 4.3 million liters in 2018 to 62.5 million liters in 2024, partly due to the rise of modern, intensive farming systems.
These changes have had ripple effects across the rural economy. The expansion of dairy production has stimulated processing and distribution networks, generating new employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women in both rural communities and Dakar. Improved animal health has also reduced reliance on veterinary drugs and associated costs.
Chantel De Beer, a Technical Officer at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, noted that while conventional vector control could suppress tsetse populations, it was the sterile insect technique that enabled Senegal to move from suppression to eradication, effectively breaking the cycle of reinfestation. She emphasized that sustained investment and partnership can transform entire livestock economies.
Wider Benefits Beyond Livestock
The suppression of the tsetse fly has also yielded broader social and environmental benefits. Farmers report improved working conditions, free from the nuisance and discomfort of tsetse bites. The decline of the insect has also fostered growth in the equine sector and contributed to local tourism.
Additionally, the campaign has served as a model for other countries. Training on tsetse eradication strategies provided to approximately 30 practitioners from Sub-Saharan Africa has facilitated knowledge transfer and informed similar initiatives elsewhere. This positions the Niayes region as a benchmark for successful area-wide integrated pest management.
Sustaining the Gains
While the campaign has achieved its primary objective, maintaining these gains will require ongoing vigilance. Although the risk of reinfestation from outside the Niayes is considered low due to the region’s geographic isolation, some local habitats, particularly forested and wetland areas, remain suitable for tsetse survival.
Experts stress the importance of maintaining and strengthening surveillance systems, including regular entomological monitoring and parasitological screening in livestock. Community engagement will also be crucial, particularly in maintaining traps and supporting early detection efforts.
Assane Gueye Fall, Director of the National Laboratory for Livestock and Veterinary Research (LNERV) at ISRA, stated that sustaining these gains necessitates investment in community awareness, regular surveillance, and strong partnerships. Stakeholders also highlight the need to anticipate new challenges linked to livestock intensification, as increased reliance on external inputs such as fodder may heighten vulnerability to climate variability.
Ensuring the long-term success of the Niayes initiative will depend not only on preserving a tsetse-free environment but also on fostering resilient and sustainable livestock systems capable of withstanding future shocks.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-06-23 23:52:00 • By the Editorial Desk
