Government has intensified efforts to combat January Disease and other tick-borne infections following high-level talks with a Belarusian delegation aimed at strengthening livestock health systems.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Davis Marapira, yesterday, met representatives from Belarus as part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries, with discussions focusing on the supply of veterinary medicines and enhancement of local disease control capacity.
Marapira said protecting the national herd was now a priority after the successful implementation of the Zimbabwe–Belarus mechanisation programme.
“We have the tractors to till the land, and now we must have the medicine to save our cows,” he said.
January Disease (Theileriosis) and other tick-borne diseases continue to cause significant cattle losses, particularly during the rainy season when tick infestations increase.
The Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU), which was part of the delegation, is facilitating engagement with BelAgroGen, a Belarusian company specialising in veterinary pharmaceuticals. The proposed partnership will focus on the introduction of high-quality medicines to control ticks, internal parasites and respiratory infections.
Leading the Belarusian delegation were Ambassador of Belarus to Zimbabwe, H.E. Gen. Ihar Marshalau; Embassy Counsellor Raman Kozyr; and BelAgroGen Deputy Director and former Ambassador Andrei Molchan.
Beyond the supply of medicines, the discussions also centred on strengthening Zimbabwe’s veterinary infrastructure, including upgrading diagnostic laboratories and training veterinary personnel to improve early disease detection and response.
Marapira said the initiative was designed to ensure that both communal and commercial farmers benefit from improved access to animal health services.
“The ultimate goal is to stop the livestock deaths that have hit our communities hard, ensuring our herd grows and stays healthy,” he said.
He was accompanied by the Chief Director of the Veterinary Services Directorate, Dr Pious Makaya, and a team of veterinary specialists.
Government has in recent years prioritised livestock recovery programmes as part of broader efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, improve food security and increase rural incomes.
