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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Farmers Union is conducting a livestock vaccination programme countrywide as a contingency measure to avert disease outbreaks. In an interview, National Livestock Association chairperson Mr Clement Malaba said an outbreak of the botulism disease had been recorded in some parts of Bulilima District.

“It has come to our attention that animals within some parts of Bulilima are dying as a result of a botulism outbreak that has been reported within the area. We discovered that seven cows recently died in one of the villages within the district.

“We have not received any other report on an outbreak within other parts of the country but we have launched this vaccination programme as a contingency measure as most livestock diseases are recorded during this time of the year,” he said.

Mr Malaba said the vaccination programme which started last week in Mashonaland West had moved to Matabeleland region.

“We started this programme last week and our first port of call was Mashonaland West. We are now in Matabeleland South province where we started conducting our vaccination programme there on Wednesday in Bulilima District and from there we will move to other provinces.

“By the end of the day we vaccinated about 620 cows from Ward 10 and Ward15 areas and our vaccination point was at Vulindlela Feedlot point,” said Mr Malaba.

He said they had recorded an overwhelming response from farmers who were showing an appreciation of the need to vaccinate their animals against diseases.

“The response from farmers is impressive. Farmers from the areas that we have gone through are really forthcoming in bringing their animals for vaccination. If we are able to vaccinate over 600 animals within a space of a few hours then it is a sign of a good response,” said Mr Malaba.

He said farmers that were affiliates of the union were expected to pay 50 cents per dose while non-affiliates had to pay $1 each.
“These vaccines were purchased by the union but we are extending our service to those farmers who are not our affiliates as well.

“We want to eradicate a dependency syndrome among farmers and as a result our affiliates pay 50 cents per dose while the non affiliates pay $1 per dose. We set this fee as a cost recovery so that we desist from issuing handouts,” said Mr Malaba.

He said the vaccines which had been purchased by the union were enough for the nationwide exercise.