This study was carried out to assess farmers’ knowledge and perceptions on tick species, tick-borne diseases (TBDs), tick control measures, production constraints and tolerance of Tarime and Sukuma zebu cattle to TBDs. The study involved 240 agro-pastoralists from Serengeti, Tarime, Maswa and Meatu districts in Tanzania. Data were collected through individual interview using a structured questionnaire.

Livestock diseases were ranked as the first important problem affecting cattle production in Serengeti and Tarime districts while in Maswa and Meatu districts lack of livestock feeds during the dry season was ranked as the most important constraints, followed by livestock diseases. Among the diseases affecting cattle, the TBDs ranked first in Serengeti and Tarime while in Maswa and Meatu the TBDs, ranked fourth and sixth, respectively. Most of the livestock farmers interviewed (74%) knew well the signs of the TBDs. Circling/high stepping, red urine, hard dung and swollen lymph nodes were mentioned as clinical symptoms for heartwater, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and East Coast fever (ECF), respectively. The majority of the respondents in all districts knew that ECF is caused by ticks, but did not associate the other TBDs with ticks. The most prevalent ticks were bont ticks (Ambyomma spp), blue ticks (Boophilus spp) and brown ear ticks (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus). Most of the farmers interviewed were using acaricide to control ticks, and the most common method of application was hand spraying. All farmers used Oxytetracycline to treat TBDs; however, some farmers used local herbs. Although most farmers knew the signs of TBDs, they were not spraying/dipping their animals on regular basis because of economic reasons and the belief that their animals always carry ticks without being sick or dying and ECF affects only calves. About half of the farmers considered their breeds to be tolerant to ticks and ECF. In conclusion, the livestock farmers in the Lake zone have substantial knowledge on tick species and TBD symptoms and they have a perception that ECF is not the most important disease compared to the other TBDs.