AGRICULTURE minister Anxious Masuka says the marginal increase reported in livestock numbers last year bodes well for future growth prospects in the wake of recent serious disease outbreaks.
This comes as the government says the country is making progress in the fight against livestock diseases such as Theileriosis, which is more commonly referred to as January disease.
According to official figures, the country has lost over half a million cattle since 2015 to the disease.
“Livestock provides income, status and employment to farmers, as 90 percent of the 5,6 million livestock is in communal areas. Over the years some 50 percent of the 4 000 dip tanks became derelict, so diseases such as January Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease became a menace,” Masuka told The Financial Gazette last week.
“Since 2019 we have resolved to change the situation through the Livestock Growth Strategy, focusing on eliminating diseases, improving genetics and improving pastures.
“Consequently, some 67 percent of dip tanks are now operational, as we aim to rehabilitate over 500 dip tanks annually.
“In the interim, since 2020, we have given the one million cattle-owning households one-kilogramme tick grease each to control the tick-borne disease. Resultantly, a 47 percent reduction in tick-borne deaths was recorded in 2020, and a further reduction of 39 percent was recorded in 2021,” Masuka added.
“In 2021 we recorded a small increase of 0,6 percent in livestock numbers. This augurs well for future growth”.
Masuka, who will be the guest of honour at this year’s Agriculture Sector Survey launch on November 23, expressed confidence that progress has also been made against foot and mouth.
The survey is the brainchild of The Financial Gazette and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, in partnership with CBZ Bank.
“On the FMD front, we now have sufficient stocks of vaccine, and detection and surveillance of the disease have improved, following massive capacitation of both the technical and extension systems. Quarantine activities are in place, and farmers are urged to play their part by restricting cattle movements as directed.
“Sadly, we have had to destroy some cattle from delinquent cattle movements. Barrier fences with national parks are also now being put up to reduce buffalo-animal contact and reduce FMD further,” Masuka said.
Zimbabwe, through the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), and with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the European Union (EU), this year launched a 10-year integrated national tick and tick-borne disease control strategy.
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are responsible for huge economic losses in cattle assets and farm savings in Zimbabwe.
They account for more than 60 percent of cattle deaths in the country.