Staff Reporter

Government has encouraged farmers to dip their cattle in order to reduce the prevalence of cattle disease such as the major tick-borne disease which is common in this season.

In a statement today, Permanent Secretary of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, John Bhasera encouraged farmers to dip their cattle giving tips under the ‘AgriTips365’.

Bhasera stated that when dipping cattle, farmers must mix dip chemicals according to the manufacturer`s instructions, use knapsack only for small herds of less than thirty cattle, apply tick grease in between dipping sessions and to ensure thorough wetting.

He further urged the farmers to have a good handling facility and to inspect the cattle for ticks regularly.

Meanwhile, Bhasera mentioned the three dipping methods, meant to fight diseases such as, Tick-borne diseases which include January disease, Heartwater, Redwater and Gallsickness, as plunge dipping all cattle in a dip tank, pouring on application from head to toe and mechanize spray races or knapsack spray.

The dipping of cattle to reduce the spread of tick-borne disease is in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa`s mantra of increasing livestock production.

Making mention of Government achievements in the Agriculture Sector at the beginning of this year, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka alluded that livestock production is on the increase due to various interventions engaged by President Mnangagwa.

The Minister stated that a total of one million households benefited under the Presidential Tick Grease Scheme.

The nation now have 5 509 983 cattle, 4 259 176 goats, 710 226 sheep and 314 335 pigs while the mortality rate of January disease has decreased by 49 percent in 2020 and 37 percent in 2021.