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Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent
FARMERS should brand their cattle for easy identification and to enhance recovery after thefts by rustlers.
The Department of Veterinary Services started a branding campaign in June to reduce stock theft and control the spread of diseases in the country.
Cattle branding is a process whereby farmers get a unique mark for their herd from the Registrar General’s office allowing every animal they own to have a clear identification.
Speaking at the launch of the Veterinary Field School and farmer graduation programme in Rusape, permanent secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr John Basera, said cattle branding was key in reducing livestock theft.
“There is an issue of cattle branding which has been demonstrated here. Cattle branding is one of the issues which are looked at by Government and livestock farmers in Zimbabwe. We want to start exporting beef to other countries but we can only do that if we can confirm identification and traceability.
“We would want to know to whom each cow belongs and does it have proper identification cards and this is very important. We want all farmers to brand their cattle in their different villages with the help of our extension workers,” he said.
Dr Basera also urged farmers to encourage their colleagues to brand their cattle as there is a need to give identity to livestock.
The Veterinary Department has been working on branding tools targeting about six per dip tank.
The branding exercise, which identifies cattle by their districts and owners using a monitored system, will enable the Government to control the outbreak of animal diseases.
A farmer, Mr Farai Kanzwi, said the revamping of dip tanks will help in the branding of cattle since the process takes place at dip tanks.
Online Reporter