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Nokuthula Dube
Government has disbursed $100 million for the rehabilitation of livestock dip tanks countrywide under a programme meant to curb the prevalence of tick-borne diseases.
Currently 286 dip tanks have been rehabilitated while an additional 155 are undergoing refurbishment.
This comes as the Government has introduced measures to curb tick bone which has killed thousands of cattle over the last few years.
“The rehabilitation of 155 dip tanks is currently ongoing across the provinces,” said Department of veterinary services chief director, Dr Josphat Nyika in an interview.
“Rehabilitation works is usually slow during the rain season because most communities will be engaged in crop production and most of the dip tanks will be difficult to access.
“The target for the year was 500 dip tanks rehabilitated after Treasury released $100 million for the project.
“By the end of November, a total of 286 dip tanks had been rehabilitated.”
January disease, a tick-borne disease, has accounted for more than 60 percent of all unnatural livestock deaths over the last few years.
Mhondoro-Ngezi in Mashonaland West Province, Gutu in Masvingo and Wedza in Mashonaland East were the worst affected areas.
In November 2020, President Mnangagwa launched the Presidential Blitz Tick Grease Programme that seeks to support 8000 livestock farming households through supply of free tick grease packs to supplement the dip tank programme.
Online Reporter