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Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
Farmers are rehabilitating dip tanks countrywide, with help from the Department of Veterinary Services, to combat Theileriosis, which also known as January disease, and other tick borne infections.
Thousands of farmers are set to benefit from the rehabilitation of more than 2 000 dip tanks.
The Department of Veterinary Services is also targeting to build 100 new dip tanks across the country.
Department of Veterinary Services director, Dr Jairus Machakwa, said the Government was on a drive to resuscitate all non-functioning dip tanks to fight the spread of tick-borne diseases.
“Farmers are fully requested to fully participate in the ongoing dip tank rehabilitation exercise countrywide, particularly this time when pressure from cropping and harvesting is still low, being winter,” he said. “We are grateful for those who are participating in this exercise.”
Midlands provincial veterinary director, Dr Martin Sibanda, confirmed that farmers were on the ground since last month to resuscitate the dip tanks.
“Farmers are currently working and rehabilitating dip tanks across the country,” he said. “Material has been delivered and the work is in progress. Dip tanks are vital as they protect our cattle from getting tick-borne diseases. We are glad to see farmers participating in this exercise.”
During the rainy season, farmers were assured by the Department of Veterinary Services that it had adequate dipping chemicals in stock, but urged them to be cautious and reduce livestock mortality due to tick-borne diseases. Theileriosis killed thousands of livestock, mainly cattle, during the rainy season in the last few years.
Presently, the department is carrying out awareness campaigns urging farmers to present their cattle at dip tanks for dipping.
The Animal Health (Cattle Cleansing) Regulations 1993 makes 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.
On 20 November 2020, President Mnangagwa launched the Presidential Blitz Tick-Grease programme to support some 800 000 livestock farming households through supply of free tick-grease packs to supplement the dipping programme.
The Blitz Tick grease programme is now in its second year.
Last year, there was a 47 percent reduction in tick borne disease cases due to availing of the tick-grease.
Online Reporter