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Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
The Government will continue branding cattle until temperatures are not suitable to carry out the programme, Veterinary Department has said.
Cattle branding requires minimum temperatures where there is low activity of flies resulting in low risk of wound infection.
Over 2 million cattle have been branded so far exceeding a target of 1,5 million.
In an interview Dr Machakwa said nationwide cattle branding is still continuing urging the farmers to continue embracing the programme.
“We are still continuing with the programme until temperatures are not suitable for us to do the process. We usually target this programme in winter where temperatures are still low and it is the optimum period for branding because of low fly activity, resulting in the low risk of wound infection and screwworm problem. The programme’s idea is to provide animal identification and traceability systems which controls and facilitates the animal movement controls, busting illegal cattle movements and stock theft. This shows that farmers have embraced the and understand the importance of the programme,” he said.
Government has commenced cattle branding in June as a measure to reduce stock theft and control the spread of diseases in the country. Branding, also known as umtshiso, is a process whereby farmers get a unique mark for their herd from the Registrar General’s Office as a way of reducing stock theft.
The branding exercise, which identifies cattle by their districts and owners using a monitored system, will also enable the Government to control the outbreak of animal diseases.
Veterinary department was on the ground educating farmers to embrace the program adding that the program also protects the national herd from unscrupulous dealers.
Branding livestock helps farmers to identify their beasts and reduce cases of dispute over ownership among the farmers.
It’s also an international standard in livestock identification and traceability systems as it enables stock trading to be transparent since the stock owner will be compelled to produce brand certificate bearing brand marks similar to that on the stock.
Thieves are also afraid to steal branded cattle as they are afraid of getting caught.
Farmers who were interviewed by the Herald could not hide their excitement as they were celebrating and welcoming Government’s initiative to protect their livestock from unscrupulous dealers.
One of the farmers from Chegutu, Mr Tafara Magoma said the development is a positive one which will ensure that the national herd is protected.
”Cases of stock theft will be reduced. Moreover, we can easily identify our livestock in the event that they get lost or stolen. The number of cattle branded is an indicator that it was embraced by every farmer. A branded cattle cannot be stolen easily, you will not get anywhere. So we are grateful for the Government’s initiative which will go a long way in protecting our cattle,”said Magoma.
Another farmer from Raffingora, Ms Chipo Mabaisanwa said cattle branding act as an evidence to prove the ownership of cattle adding that the programme will help to protect their wealth.
“We measure our wealth with cattle hence a need to protect it well. We thank the initiative because the programme helps to identify our beasts and also helps to reduce cases of dispute over ownership among the farmers,” said Ms Mabaisanwa.
Mrs Maria Mawere of Maheu farm in Banket said the program is crucial as it provides protection to the livestock.
”This is a positive development and will go a long way in protecting our livestock. You can tell the location of the branded cattle. We support the programme and we also urge other farmers to ensure that their cattle are also branded,”she said.
Branding of cattle was not only done in Zimbabwe, but in the whole region of the Southern African Development Countries (SADC) because of cross-border theft of livestock.
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