daniel chigunwe
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
AMID the continuing efforts to combat tick-borne diseases and boost livestock health, the Government has distributed 528 217 kilogrammes of tick grease through the Presidential Blitz Tick Grease Scheme.
Launched on November 20, 2020, under the Livestock Growth Plan, the initiative aims to provide a total of 1,5 million kilogrammes of tick grease, targeting over one million households across the nation.
Livestock Production and Development director, Dr Sithokozile Sibanda emphasised the critical role of dipping and tick grease application in eliminating major diseases that threaten cattle.
“Dipping and tick grease are essential in controlling tick-borne diseases,” she said, highlighting the urgency of the programme in curbing diseases like gall sickness, redwater, and heartwater.
As part of this comprehensive approach, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has since vaccinated one million cattle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and another one million against anthrax. Additionally, 13 million birds have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease for the 2024 season. These vaccinations are vital, as the country goes through the rainy season, which typically sees a surge in vector-borne diseases.
DVS chief director Dr Pious Makaya noted that the department was actively assessing tick resistance profiles to ensure effective dipping.
“We have stocked adequate dipping chemicals for the entire country to ensure weekly dipping during this season,” he explained.
This effort is complemented by the distribution of tick grease to farmers, reinforcing the DVS’s commitment to protecting livestock.
Currently, the DVS is producing three vaccines for tick-borne diseases January disease, gall sickness, and redwater.
This season DVS aims to provide more than 350 000 doses of bolvac and 100 000 doses each of the other vaccines – babesiosis (for rabies) and that for gall sickness and anaplasmosis, to ensure a broad coverage for livestock.
With the bulling season running from November 2024 to April 2025, the DVS is also focused on enhancing the genetics of local cattle populations. DVS had set a target of producing 100 000 cattle semen straws at the Mazowe Bull Centre for Artificial Insemination by December 2024 but managed to meet three quarters of the production target.
In addition to vaccination and breeding efforts, the DVS is conducting intensive farmer awareness campaigns to promote best practices in livestock management.
These initiatives aim to help farmers produce high-quality animal products, enabling them to access lucrative markets both locally and internationally.
The measures being implemented by the DVS are poised to significantly strengthen the livestock sector. This proactive strategy not only aims to reduce livestock mortality rates but also aligns with the goals of the National Development Strategy I and the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy.
By safeguarding animal health and enhancing production, the DVS is working to ensure a prosperous future for Zimbabwe’s livestock farmers.
