Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
GOVERNMENT has released US$2 million to livestock chemical suppliers to boost production of acaricide used in the national cattle dipping programme meant to protect livestock from tick-borne diseases that are prevalent during the wet season.
The development comes as Government has intensified efforts to contain diseases affecting the national herd, targeting the procurement and distribution of close to 200 tonnes of dipping chemicals over the next three months.
Speaking on Thursday during a tour of leading animal health products manufacturer and distributor Coopers Zimbabwe to assess production levels, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said the country has enough acaricide stocks as manufacturers continue producing more to meet national demand.
Deputy Minister Marapira said the release of funds by Treasury is expected to help suppliers scale up production to ensure the chemical reaches dipping facilities across the country starting this week.
“We are here to check the level of production of acaricide meant for dipping livestock in our rural communities. I am happy that we have enough product which will carry us for the next two weeks, with the manufacturer still continuing with production,” said Deputy Minister Marapira.
He assured farmers that supplies of the chemical will soon be available at community dipping points.
“We want to promise our farmers that help is coming. Acaricide will be in their communities starting from this week,” he said.
Farmers were also urged to play their part in sustaining the programme by contributing towards the dipping levy, which is pegged at US$2 per animal per year, while Government supplements with an additional US$1 per animal.
“I am happy that in the past two weeks US$2 million was released by Treasury meant for our suppliers, even though it is what was collected last year. If our farmers can give us more, the suppliers will also be able to produce the chemical as per requirement,” said Deputy Minister Marapira.
He encouraged farmers to religiously adhere to livestock dipping schedules to safeguard their herds from tick-borne diseases, which continue to threaten cattle production in many rural areas.
