Muchaneta Chimuka
GOVERNMENT has so far rehabilitated 481 of the 600 dip tanks that it is targeting nationwide this year under the National Dip Tank Rehabilitation Programme.
This came up during the official commissioning of the Godlwayo 2 Dip Tank in Ward 19 of Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South Province on Thursday.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Chief Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Dr Pious Makaya said: “To date, 481 dip tanks have been rehabilitated, representing 80,2 percent of the annual target, with 119 remaining.
“The programme forms part of Government’s broader efforts to strengthen livestock disease prevention, improve tick and tick-borne disease control, and safeguard the national cattle herd.”
The commissioning of Godlwayo 2 Dip Tank, he said highlights the role of Government-community partnerships in accelerating livestock infrastructure development, promoting local ownership and building resilience among farming communities.
“We are gathered here today not just to open a dip tank, but to make a practical contribution to the vision of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa – Vision 2030: Towards an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030,” he said.
“The roadmap to Vision 2030 is our National Development Strategy 2 – (2026-2030), which succeeds NDS1 and NDS2.”
He said that NDS2 has identified agriculture, and specifically livestock development, as a key economic pillar for rural industrialisation and rural development.
Dr Makaya said, under NDS2, the Government targets a national herd of six million cattle by 2030 and a reduction of livestock mortality from 15 percent to below five percent and the commercialisation of the rural livestock sector.
“We are eyeing inclusive growth – leaving no one and no place behind. We cannot achieve that if our cattle continue to die from preventable tick-borne diseases,” he said.
“This dip tank will serve over 36 households with a census of over 200 cattle. Matabeleland South is a livestock province.
“Cattle are our bank, our culture, our draught power and our livelihood. But for years, our cattle have suffered from tick-borne diseases namely January disease, Gall sickness, Redwater and Heartwater.
“In Umzingwane district, January disease in particular has killed 3 947 cattle(1 438 laboratory confirmed and 2 509 from suspicious clinical signs) for the period January 2022 to September 2026.”
He said Godlwayo 2 Dip tank is not an exception from January disease, as it was hit by the disease for the period 2023 – 2025, affecting 36 households and killing over 120 cattle.
He said that, this year 2026, no new cases have been recorded owing to the consistent supply of Deltatic pour-on and adoption of the 5-5-4 dipping regime.
“An undipped animal is not just a farmer’s loss – it is a loss to Umzingwane District, it is a loss to Matabeleland South Province, and it is a loss to the national GDP,” he said.
“That is why the rehabilitation of Godlwayo 2 Dip tank is a strategic investment in line with NDS2.
“A healthy herd means more draught power, more milk, more manure for Pfumvudza, more sales. A farmer with abundant healthy cattle is on his way to becoming an upper middle-income farmer.
“It is part of rural industrialisation we cannot talk of rural industrialisation when the raw material – cattle – is dying. This dip tank will supply healthy cattle to our abattoirs at Maphisa, Bulawayo, and to the Leather Value Chain. This is NDS2 in action.”
He said the dip tanks were built through devolution and community ownership with the support from Government, Umzingwane RDC, and the Godlwayo community itself contributing labour and local materials.
Dr Makaya emphasised climate resilience as an NDS2 pillar for climate–smart agriculture.
He said, a healthy dipped animal withstands drought better than a sick animal burdened by ticks.
“Let’s ensure 100 percent dipping compliance. Every week in summer and once every two weeks in winter – all cattle must be here,” he said.
