Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE condition of livestock across Zimbabwe is generally fair to good and adequate pastures are available for grazing in most parts of the country, a senior official said.
Farmers have, however, been called upon to uphold the current low incidences of veld fires.
Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) chief director, Dr Pious Makaya, told this publication in an interview that the country’s livestock was in fair to good condition.
He said some challenges were affecting the sector, including limited water access in some areas and the ongoing risk of tick-borne and other seasonal diseases.
The Government and developmental partners are actively implementing interventions to manage these issues.
“The overall body score of livestock is described as ‘fair to good’, however, this is likely influenced by location, as recent reports indicate continued localised food deficits, even amid national surpluses.
“Farmers are encouraged to provide supplementary feed to sustain livestock condition,” Dr Makaya said.
Collaborations with development partners have seen the World Food Programme (WFP) distributing beef maintenance feed in the drier regions of Matabeleland South and North provinces. Feed resources from Dendairy in Gweru (silage and wheat bales) are also being distributed to vulnerable communities.
Dr Makaya said outbreaks of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) have been reported in the Midlands and Masvingo provinces.
“Aggressive dipping has been initiated to curb these outbreaks. Tick-borne diseases have been one of the biggest limiting factors to livestock production in Zimbabwe, accounting for significant mortalities in previous years.”
“Farmers are advised to vaccinate against seasonal threats such as anthrax and blackleg. This is particularly crucial before the onset of the rainy season, when these soil-borne diseases are more prevalent,” Dr Makaya said.
He urged farmers to seek more information and guidance from their local extension officers while the DVS provides key veterinary care and disease control services, including vaccination campaigns and dipping co-ordination.
“Anthrax is a notifiable disease, and any suspected cases must be reported immediately to the district veterinary office,” said Dr Makaya.
Meanwhile, farmers have been called to maintain the current low levels of veld fire incidence prevailing in the country to protect grazing.
