Calvin Manika
SIMANGANI villagers have hailed the government funded tick grease and fodder seed programme meant to uplift communal farmers in producing quality livestock.
The programme was launched last year under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.
Tick-grease is seen as a supplement to dipping as it saves livestock from tick-borne diseases, especially Theileriosis, popularly known as January Disease.
Simangani villager Esther Mukombwe said the government programme comes at a time when farmers were finding it difficult to keep their livestock in the face of Covid-19.
“We have received the support in the form of tick grease and fodder seed. This will go far in terms of upgrading our livestock,” said Mukombwe.
Of late, livestock rearing has been thriving in Hwange district due to its region 4 semi-arid conditions which does not support maize production.
Department of Presidential Inputs Scheme Chief Director Dr Josphat Nyika said there has been a notable decline in cattle succumbing to January disease after communal farmers started benefiting from the tick-grease programme.
“So far, 600 000 kilogrammes of tick-grease have been distributed to stock owners and 400 000 kilogrammes are yet to be collected from the GMB depots,” he said.
“This year, the livestock sector has witnessed a drastic reduction in the numbers of cattle dying from January Diseases because farmers who have received tick grease have started applying it on cattle,” said Nyika.
Most Hwange people are relying on cattle production to support their families like paying school fees for their children. The distribution of tick grease and fodder seed is expected to benefit one million households across the country.
The tick grease programme is in line with the National Development Strategy 1, which prioritises animal health and production through strengthening farmer knowledge, skills in livestock production and health, to enhance productivity.
