The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
THE country is set to save millions of foreign currency and reduce the number of livestock mortality following the invention of the Theileria BOLVAC vaccine by the Department of Veterinary Services.
This was said by Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Vangelis Haritatos at the pilot vaccination launch of the vaccine at Svikiro Dip Tank in Rugoyi Village this week.
“The local production of Theileria BOLVAC vaccine and its use support the National Development Strategy (NDS1) through the implementation of the Livestock Development Plan (2020- 2025) in line with the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy.
“Under the Presidential Tick-Blitz Scheme, one million kilogrammes of tick grease was availed to our farmers to complement our dipping programme.
“The effective use of this Theileria vaccine together with other measures in the reduction of cattle mortalities will promote higher production, productivity and profitability as envisaged in NDS1 which targets to increase the national herd to six million cattle.
“This healthy cattle herd will contribute towards achieving President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle class income economy,” said Deputy Minister Haritatos.
He added: “It is very exciting to note that the Theileria BOLVAC vaccine strain which was used to produce the vaccine we are launching today was isolated here in Zimbabwe at Boleni Farm in Goromonzi.
“This is, therefore, our local strain. We are not introducing foreign strains from other countries which may contaminate our environment. The other very important characteristics of this vaccine is that it provides long immunity to the vaccinated animals.
“This means that an animal vaccinated against January Disease using this vaccine will not die from Theileriosis except from other tick-borne diseases the animal will not have been vaccinated against.”
Sub-regional Programme Officer for World Organisation for Animal Health, Mr Mohamed Sirdar praised Zimbabwe for the vaccine breakthrough.
“We want to pass our regards and congratulations on this great achievement. Livestock is key in sustainable development, hence we should play our part to safeguard it. We will continue working closely and supporting the country’s efforts in livestock development,” he said.
Villagers said the introduction of the vaccine is a game changer for them as they had lost hundreds of cattle which left them with no draught power and income.
They also hailed Government for the Presidential Tick Grease Programme which saw every livestock farmer receiving the grease for free.
