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Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
Another 1 000 dip tanks will be rehabilitated countrywide this year, bringing the total of functional tanks to the full 4 183, and so cutting the number of cattle succumbing to tick-borne diseases.
The resultant lessening of disease should cut cattle mortality to six percent.
In its summer cropping plan, the Government seeks to rebuild the national beef herd from the likely negative impact of destocking triggered by the El Nino-induced drought.
Government will counter the depletion of the national herd through increased infusion of better genetics by artificial insemination.
For dairy and smaller stock, the summer plan seeks to build resilience through increased dairy, poultry, goats, piggery and sheep populations.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said it was Government’s policy to resuscitate all non-functioning dip tanks to fight the spread of tick-borne diseases.
“The Government has mobilised resources for the programme. The reason for this programme is to ensure that we protect cattle from tick-borne diseases. Dipping chemicals are in stock to ensure that livestock is protected from tick-borne diseases and farmers should take livestock rearing as a serious business,” he said.
The Government also urged farmers to vaccinate their livestock against diseases such as theileriosis, anthrax and lumpy skin which will manifest in summer.
In recent years theileriosis, also known as January Disease, killed thousands of livestock, mainly cattle.
Presently, the Department of Livestock is also carrying out awareness campaigns urging farmers to dip their cattle.
However, if there is any resistance, then the Animal Health (Cattle Cleansing) Regulations (1993) make it mandatory for farmers to send cattle for dipping whenever the Department of Veterinary Services deems it necessary, and farmers who do not comply are liable to prosecution.
The regulations stipulate that no person shall fail or refuse to comply with a lawful instruction to dip their cattle. Zimbabwe is moving on several fronts to fight tick-borne diseases by building, rebuilding and renovating dip tanks and manufacturing vaccines.
During the wet season, animals are susceptible to many challenges, and January Disease is common between December and March.
The Government is accelerating plans to build the national herd to 6 million in line with the country’s Agricultural Growth Recovery Plan to meet the national demand for meat and dairy products, and then resume exports.
This requires not just breeding more cattle but also ensuring that none die due to diseases.
A blitz tick-grease programme under the Presidential Inputs Scheme has also been a major boost in the fight against January disease and will continue this season.
Online Reporter