East Coast Fever has been identified as the most challenging vector -tick disease which costs smallholder farmers over Sh300 million annually.
Researchers from Egerton University’s department of Biochemistry led by Prof Josphat Matasyoh, have discovered that the synthetic acaricides are not very effective because of resistance.
He spoke Wednesday at Egerton University, Njoro campus.
Prof Matasyoh further said the acaricides leave residues in food and this has forced most pastoralists to resort to the use of plant-based ones, which are biodegradable and offer a reliable and cheap alternative.
He urged county governments to protect their subsistence farmers from the enormous loses they incur, whenever their animals are killed by ECF through building of cattle dips.
The varsity don said when acaricides are used in cattle-dips, the balancing of chemicals was appropriately done compared to mixing by individual farmers.