The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
GOVERNMENT has applauded development partners for their unwavering support of its Livestock Growth Plan by helping restore livestock production through infrastructure rehabilitation.
Speaking while officially receiving 55 rehabilitated dip tanks from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Chimanimani yesterday afternoon, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development, Dr John Basera, who was represented by the Chief Director in his ministry, Dr Josphat Nyika, said the development partners’ efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in livestock deaths from tick-borne diseases and other livestock diseases.
“This comes at a time the country is in the middle of rehabilitating dip tanks nationwide to restore livestock growth,” he said.
Dr Basera said the country has a total of 4 010 dip tanks and a quarter of those were dilapidated.
“We had at least a 1000 dilapidated dip tanks, 500 of which were restored last year. This year, we are on course of restoring the remainder. Of those remaining, FAO has managed to restore a total of 55; which compliments our efforts as Government,” he said.
The dip tanks are in Buhera, Chipinge, Chimanimani, Mutasa and Mutare districts.
Most of the dip tanks were destroyed by Cyclone Idai in 2019.
Speaking while handing over the dip tanks, FAO’s Sub-Regional coordinator for Southern Africa, Mr Patrice Talla, said FAO places great value on the livestock sector as an important source of livelihoods.
“In collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services and through the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project, we undertook a number of animal health interventions to overcome challenges of high mortality and morbidity due to animal diseases and rehabilitating dip tanks is one of them.
“The organisation contributes significantly to inclusive growth of the agriculture sector and the economy as well as food and nutrition security,” he said.
