adminEltina Chagonda recently in SIAKOBVU, Kariba
VILLAGERS and farmers in remote areas, near game parks, are overwhelmed after the eradication and control of tsetse flies in their areas.
This was revealed by Chief Nebiri of Siakobvu, Kariba while addressing the media at his homestead.
“This area was occupied by tsetse flies for a very long time and we were limited in performing any agricultural activities such as farming and cattle rearing.
“Tsetse flies were all over our places, even inside our houses, they could penetrate.
“We faced a challenge to an extent where my village head, Gweshe, decided to name a bus stop, Tarumwa Netsetse, in 1985.
“This was a way of communicating with every individual passing through that bus stop to rescue us from the Tsetse fly crisis and it yielded best results as the Government came to spray our area,” he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Chief Chundu of Nyamakate Village, who applauded Tsetse control services for the good work they are doing.
“The problem of tsetse flies is under control because we are encouraging our farmers and fellow villagers to frequently dip their cattle.
“The targets and traps, which were implemented by the Health Control Services Department, are effective since we are living free of tsetse flies and sleeping sicknesses, unlike the past years,” said Chundu.
Director of Tsetse Control Services, Dr William Shereni, said their main priority was to completely eradicate tsetse in the settled areas.
“As the Ministry, we need our citizens to be completely free from tsetse flies hence we are covering all settled areas with targets and traps that will kill tsetse flies and, by 2024, they will be eradicated.
“Every year, starting 2021, we install 12000 targets over 3000 square kilometres.
“We are aiming to cover 15000 square kilometres by 2025 so that the agricultural sector, in those in tsetse-infested areas, is not crippled,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter