Bulawayo (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe government has intensified the rehabilitation of dilapidated dip tanks across the country under a national program aimed at strengthening livestock disease control and protecting the cattle herd, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has said.
In a statement on Friday, the DVS said the National Dip Tank Rehabilitation Program was gathering momentum, with rehabilitation materials recently delivered to Mashonaland West province where several districts are set to benefit.
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development has intensified the National Dip Tank Rehabilitation Program as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen livestock disease control and improve animal health across the country,” it said, adding the program targets to rehabilitate 200 dilapidated dip tanks nationwide.
The country has 4 211 dip tanks managed by the DVS, which are central to the country’s efforts to control tick-borne diseases.
The DVS said districts in Mashonaland West including Zvimba, Mhondoro-Ngezi, Makonde, Sanyati and Chegutu would also benefit from the latest phase of the program.
“The rehabilitation works are expected to improve access to dipping services for livestock farmers and enhance the effectiveness of the National Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Control Program,” it said.
Tick-borne diseases remain one of the biggest threats to the country’s livestock sector, causing significant cattle deaths, reduced productivity and economic losses for farmers each year.
Diseases such as January Disease (Theileriosis), heartwater, anaplasmosis and babesiosis are largely spread by ticks and can severely affect cattle health if not adequately controlled.
Dip tanks are regarded as one of the most effective frontline defences against such diseases, enabling regular treatment of cattle to kill ticks and break disease transmission cycles.
Functional dip tanks also improve cattle survival rates, enhance meat and milk production, and contribute to national food security and rural livelihoods.
The rehabilitation program forms part of broader government efforts to modernise livestock health infrastructure and ensure farmers across the country have access to quality veterinary services and effective disease control mechanisms.
New Ziana
