Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE Government has opened a new animal, plant and quarantine facility about five kilometres north of the Beitbridge Border Post, in a move to enhance biosecurity and facilitate trade.
The facility was built as part of the out-of-port projects under the US$300 million Beitbridge Border Modernisation Programme.
The animal, plant and quarantine facility, which was opened recently, is expected to play a critical role in protecting the country’s agriculture sector while promoting trade.
The centre is staffed with trained professionals responsible for inspecting and certifying animals and plants entering Zimbabwe.
It also houses laboratories focusing on animal health, environmental hazards and farming-related equipment, which are tested for conformity with import and export regulations.
Some of the laboratories are managed by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the veterinary services department and the National Biotech Laboratory.
In the past, the authorities had to send samples to Harare for testing, a process that caused delays.
With the new facility, all departments are now based in Beitbridge, helping to decongest the border post and attend to issues as they arise.
Officials say the facility will help prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases that could harm the agriculture sector.
“The new animal, plant and quarantine facility is a significant development that has a positive impact on Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector and economy,” said Beitbridge’s senior plant health inspector Mr Ernest Nyangani.
“By improving biosecurity measures, facilitating trade and increasing efficiency, the facility helps to promote economic growth and development.”
Mr Nyangani made the remarks during a tour of the facility by Dr Joram Gumbo, the Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring Implementation of Government Projects.
Dr Gumbo also inspected other out-of-port projects under the modernisation programme.
These include 220 housing units for border agencies, an 11,4 megalitre water reservoir, a fire station and a sewer oxidation dam, as well as a Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development maintenance village with seven housing units, workshops, a guest house for engineers and an administration block.
The authorities, Mr Nyangani said, had already detected and destroyed contaminated agricultural products at the new facility.
“Recently, we sent back six trucks of yellow maize that were rotten and being imported from South Africa. We do random searches and inspections of trucks based on product profiles, origins and destinations,” he said.
The centre also has an incinerator, which is used by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and other agencies to destroy prohibited, dangerous or unwanted goods.
“We are grateful to Government for establishing such a facility. It has enhanced our biosecurity and decongested the border post,” Mr Nyangani added.
“Before, we operated directly from the border. Now, we have a dedicated space where work is done efficiently. It also reduces the time and cost of importing and exporting agricultural products.”
The facility is also open to schoolchildren from surrounding communities on educational tours.
Dr Tatenda Makausi, a veterinary doctor at the centre, said the facility has helped in managing animal diseases and is also available to local livestock farmers.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Albert Nguluvhe said the development will benefit both farmers and the economy.
“By ensuring that animals and plants entering the country are disease-free, the facility will protect farmers’ livelihoods and promote trade,” he said.
“Considering that agriculture anchors our economy, we need to raise awareness for farmers to make use of this facility. For livestock farmers in Matabeleland South, this is a game-changer in research, disease monitoring and consultancy. We applaud the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa for establishing it.”
He added that the centre will also boost investor confidence in agriculture.
Livestock farmers union representative Mr Sifiso Sibanda described the facility as critical for enhancing Zimbabwean livestock on export markets.
“This is a major boost for Beitbridge farmers who mostly rely on livestock production. They now have access to a facility that ensures disease-free exports and imports, especially for goats and sheep coming from South Africa,” he said.
Customs clearing agents also welcomed the one-stop shop, saying it had resolved longstanding delays caused by laboratory checks that were previously carried out elsewhere.
After touring the facility, Dr Gumbo said the Second Republic has embraced a strong public-private partnership model to accelerate infrastructure development under the National Development Strategy 1.
“Since the advent of the Second Republic, in excess of 9 000 strategic milestones have been accomplished across sectors, all in pursuit of our Vision 2030 goal of an upper middle-income economy,” he said.
“The Beitbridge Border Post is an anchor project that has improved service delivery for cargo and human traffic transiting the vital North-South Corridor.”
He said developments at Beitbridge were more than just infrastructure upgrades.
“They represent a fundamental re-engineering of our national socio-economic arteries. This state-of-the-art gateway sets the standard and pace of development for future generations to emulate,” he said.
