Vincent Factory*

Lilongwe university of agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe, Malawi

*Corresponding Author: Vincent Factory, Lilongwe university of agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe, Malawi.

Received: August 12, 2025; Published: August 25, 2025

Abstract

Cattle production remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods in Malawi, contributing remarkably to household income, nutrition, and agricultural productivity. However, parasitic infestations both endoparasites and ectoparasitic are a major constraint, causing economic losses through reduced growth rates, diminished milk production impaired reproduction, and increased mortality. Ivermectin, a macrocyclic lactone derived from Streptomyces avermitilis, offers broad-spectrum efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms, and external parasites, with prolonged residual activity well-suited to resource-limited farming systems. This paper examines ivermectin’s pharmacological action, field performance, and socio-economic impact in Malawi’s cattle sector, drawing on recent field data from Kasungu District that demonstrate significant reductions in parasite burden and marked measurable improvements in weight gain among treated herds. The review also addresses critical considerations for dosage, administration, withdrawal periods, and the growing threat of anthelmintic resistance linked to underdosing, misuse, and lack of rotation. Other challenges such as high drug cost, limited veterinary access, and cold chain management are discussed, along with policy recommendations promoting sustainable use, through integrated parasite management, strategic deworming, and national resistance surveillance. We conclude that, while ivermectin remains an indispensable tool for cattle parasite control in Malawi, its long-term effectiveness depends on responsible application, farmer education, and coordinated veterinary policy interventions.

Keywords: Ivermectin; Cattle; Malawi; Parasite Control; Anthelmintic Resistance; Livestock Productivity

References

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3. Mwale F., et al. “Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and impact of ivermectin treatment in Kasungu cattle herds”. Unpublished field report, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) (2023).
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Citation

Citation: Vincent Factory. “Ivermectin Injection In Cattle: A Critical Tool For Parasite Control In Malawi’s Livestock Sector". Acta Scientific Agriculture 9.9 (2025): 33-36.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Vincent Factory. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.