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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

THE Animal Health Management Centre which was established in Manama area in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South province has brought relief to local farmers who had to travel long distances to town to purchase medicines for their livestock.

The costs associated with travelling to Gwanda Town coupled with the challenge of storing vaccines forced some farmers to neglect proper care of their animals resulting in deaths and poor condition of animals.

The establishment of the animal health centre has motivated farmers to prioritise the health of their animals.

Government and its development partners have upgraded 26 animal health management centres in eight provinces across the country under a US$4 million project aimed at enhancing community livelihoods through increased production and contribution to the national economy. The animal health management centre in Manama was launched in September.

The upgraded centres will ensure that livestock medicines are readily available while playing a crucial role in disseminating necessary information to farmers and enabling them to protect their livestock.

The European Union availed the funding under the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP) through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the Department of Veterinary Services.

The programme has benefited over 73 000 livestock farmers.

The intervention buttresses the implementation of the Transforming Zimbabwe’s Animal Health and Food Safety Systems for Future (SAFE) project and comes at a time when the country has declared war against the January disease which has killed over 500 000 cattle in the past five years.

A farmer from Manama area, Mr Brighton Nkomo said the animal health centre is a motivation for them as farmers to prioritise the health of their animals.

“Livestock are a major source of livelihood for us as a community. We have cattle, donkeys, goats and other small livestock. Since time immemorial community members have been selling their livestock to fend for our families,” he said.

“Our livestock succumbed to diseases and we were failing to get medicines. Before the animal health management centre was established we had to travel to Gwanda and it cost R100. We also had a serious challenge with some vaccines that need to be stored in a cool place.”

Another farmer, Ms Silethemba Moyo said the animal health centre will go a long in improving the condition of their animals. She said as farmers they are grateful to the Government for empowering them.

“Government has said it will leave no one and no place behind and indeed we haven’t been left out as the community of Manama area. A farmer will understand how valuable this centre is in livestock production,” she said.

“Even farmers that were neglecting their animals have become motivated because we now have this facility in our area.”

Livestock production is an integral part of the lives of a majority of the Zimbabwean population. The livestock sector is an important source of livelihoods and contributes significantly to the growth of the agriculture sector and the economy as well as food and nutrition security.

Improved livestock health management as well as the adoption of climate change mitigation strategies are expected to bolster livestock production in Zimbabwe, especially in the southern region where animal husbandry is the key economic activity.

The Livestock Growth Plan is part of the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy that is expected to turn agriculture into a US$8,2 billion industry by 2025 and contribute towards the achievement of Vision 2030.

Plans are underway to earn significant foreign currency for the country through livestock.

According to the plan, beef production is expected to grow from 50 000 tonnes to 90 000 tonnes per year.

The transformation of the livestock sector through the Livestock Growth Plan is premised on improved animal nutrition and the development of pastures. —@DubeMatutu