Second blitz against cattle disease

MATABELELAND SOUTH – THE Department of Veterinary Services has launched a
second blitz to eradicate the deadly January disease that has been wiping out cattle
in some parts of the province, a senior Government official has said.
In an interview with the head of the Matabeleland South Department of Veterinary
Services, Dr Enat Mdlongwa said the Government was doing its level best to
eradicate the deadly disease that has wiped out thousands of cattle across the
province, especially in Insiza District.
“We have moved to another level of trying to fight the deadly January disease.
Instead of relying on knapsack sprays, A1 and A2 farmers will be using pressurised
spray race which are more effective that the former.
These spray races will encourage farmers to be active in treating their animals. The
disease is more pronounced in farms as compared to communal areas, where the
Government is still enforcing continuous communal dipping on a fortnightly basis,”
said Dr Mdlongwa.
Spray race will be intensified before the rainy season when the ticks will be breeding.
“10 farmers per districts will compete before the rainy season where the Permanent
Secretary and the Chief Director will launch these competitions to ensure the
seriousness of the programme,” said Dr Mdlongwa.
From Phase 2, the programme will move to a phase where the spray races will
migrate to motorised spraying. These cost $1000.
“The Department has already engaged Agribank to avail soft loans for all interested
farmers.
“These loans are very convenient because farmers can negotiate direct with the
bank and agree on payment terms after harvesting or selling their animals,” said Dr
Mdlongwa.
During the beginning of the year, more than 20 000 cattle were reported to have
succumbed to the January disease.