Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, [email protected]
JUBILATION was the order of the day at Jimila in Tsholotsho District, Matabeleland North province on Friday when the community witnessed the official commissioning of a new veterinary office, which will enhance improved livestock production.
The project was spearheaded by the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (Campfire) and is expected to impact positively on local livelihoods.
The new offices will house veterinary doctors who are going to help farmers in taking care of their animals and provide critical vaccines.
Villagers said the animal health management centre would make it easy for them to consult with animal health specialists and get assistance in tackling different animal diseases.
Previously, farmers were forced to travel long distances to Tsholotsho centre to seek veterinary services.
One of the villagers Mr Sanele Ndlovu said the opening of new offices will enhance access to information and motivate farmers to improve their livestock breeds.
“We are really happy about this development and we are grateful to the Campfire department that helped to make this a great success and we are hopeful that we will be able to even get vaccines for our animals in this place,” he said.
Another villager Mrs Sindiswa Tshuma said the new offices will help local farmers to increase their production and reap more benefits from their livestock.
“This is really a great development and it will help in close monitoring for people not to move their animals without following proper procedures as that is what causes the spread of diseases and puts everyone at risk,” he said.
Tsholotsho North legislator, Cde Sibangumuzi Khumalo, expressed excitement over the project and hoped that locals will derive maximum benefit from its usage.
“We hope very soon all medicine that is needed by the animals will be found here so that people can benefit from this,” he said.
“By having these offices, it will also be an encouragement to our farmers to always bring their animals for dipping as they will know that there is someone who is close to them that is monitoring if they are keeping their animals safe.”
Matabeleland North Campfire chairman, Mr Nkululeko Ncube said their goal was to develop and empower communities, which is why they have facilitated the building of the new centre at Jimila.
He said they are not yet through with building as they still have to build residential facilities for the veterinary doctors who are going to reside at the facility so that help is available for villagers all the time.
“Our main goal is to develop everyone that is why we are very excited about this new building,” he said.
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