Chronicle Editor
ON Friday, (10 November) we had a conference to discuss effective livestock disease management, with particular focus on Theileriosis (January disease). I was the facilitator at this well attended event which saw most senior civil servants from the ministry of agriculture attending. Livestock farmers were however, poorly represented with a conspicuous absence of farmer unions. The private sector especially from the drug manufacturing and retail sector was well represented. What I found striking about this event was the sharing of very critical information regarding developments around the January disease especially in Matabeleland Region.
Some information shared about this disease was sobering at best and frightening at worst. It was revealed that since the outbreak of this disease in Matabeleland South at Lancaster Farm some three or so years ago, 7 500 animals have been lost to the disease. The disease has since migrated from Insiza district to Umzingwane and Bulilima districts.
Bulilima district has lost 268 animals in farms around Figtree area. Another very important piece of information which was shared was that vaccine trials are currently being conducted in Insiza district with around 1 500 animals already vaccinated against this devastating tick-borne disease. More vaccines are expected from Harare, to vaccinate about 50 000 animals.
I couldn’t help but feel that a little more could be done by the department of veterinary services to put such critical information on the public domain so that livestock farmers and all those concerned with this sector can be informed.
The tendency to pocket very important information usually results in poor participation and support from those who should be at the forefront of supporting this important intervention.
Let the information be voluntarily put out there so that concerned people are aware what they are up against and how Government is intervening. This helps for farmers specifically to know how they can support Government intervention in saving their herd.
My prayer is for the success of the vaccine trials so that farmers’ investments can be protected. There was also a very loud cry and plea from a number of veterinary staff present, regarding proper dipping of animals to prevent the disease.
They lamented the fact that farmers do not dip all the animals during a dipping session with some dip tanks recording about 60 percent animals coming for dipping. This means that dipping session was essentially useless because the 40 percent which did not dip are multiplying the same ticks which we are trying to kill.
There was also the issue of absent livestock farmers, with some resident in towns only visiting the farms occasionally, while others are in the diaspora with their animals left in the hands of stockmen. These are the farms where proper dipping is not done due to lack of supervision. In fact, some of the stockmen are reported to be selling dipping chemicals sent by the livestock owners to dip their animals.
Absent livestock farmers have been fingered as drivers of January disease especially in areas with the disease due to non-compliance to recommended dipping regimes. Also shared was the fact that despite this disease being called January disease because it used to be more prevalent around January, it is now being recorded throughout the year with peaks around certain times. This could be an indication that the disease has evolved over the years.
Another important piece of information shared during this conference was the availability of livestock insurance products that cover important livestock challenges such as January disease. A representative from one insurance company indicated that they cover January disease and the farmer will be paid 60% of the value of the animals insured. This helps for the farmer to at least recover something in the event of his/ her animals dying due to January disease.
Livestock farmers may need to look for this insurance company and learn more. You may find it wise to insure your herd. In conclusion, I would appeal to relevant departments to share and make available information on any developments around important diseases such as January disease so that livestock farmers and all interested may also play their part well informed.
Uyabonga umntakaMaKhumalo. Mhlupheki Dube is a livestock specialist and farmer. He writes in his own capacity. Feedback [email protected]/ cell 0772851275
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