By Bright Zhou
A total of 21 farmers from Masvingo District recently benefitted from the Presidential Heifer programme which is aimed at boasting the national herd following the ravage by January Disease which saw some farmers being left without a single beast.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira handed over the 21 heifers to farmers at Masvingo Showgrounds on May 14, 2024.
Chadzamira said government was giving one heifer to each farmer amongst those who lost cattle to January Disease across the country under the President’s Rural Development 8.0 programme, to rear for meat, milk and draught power.
“Most farmers in the country lost cattle because of January Disease and the President has come up with the Rural Development 8.0 programme whereby every farmer who lost livestock to the disease will receive a heifer to rear for meat, milk and for agricultural purposes,” said Chadzamira.
He said the government was rolling the programme according to districts starting with the most affected and said in Chivi, Bikita and Gutu farmers had since received heifers, tick grease and chemicals and encouraged farmers to dip livestock.
“Government has started with districts that were mostly affected with January Disease and farmers in Chivi, Bikita and Gutu districts have already received heifers and tick grease. We encourage them to dip livestock to control the diseases,” said Chadzamira.
He said farmers were supposed to take good care of the heifers they received from government as they were good breeds and promised that the remaining districts will receive their shares in the coming months.
“We encourage farmers to take good care of the heifers they have received, those who did not receive should not worry because the turn is coming as this is being done monthly,” said Chadzamira.
Animal Health Inspector Veterinary Services Pheobie Chidziya said farmers who received heifers should buy tickets at Veterinary Offices for the department for records of beneficiaries in every village.
“Government will help farmers to fight diseases like Foot and Mouth, January Disease and Black Skin, farmers should work in hand with veterinary officers to vaccinate and dose livestock on their own,” said Chidziya.
Masvingo Provincial Agritex Director Caleb Mahoya urged farmers to have two kraals during the rainy season so that they will be able to shift and rotate the livestock if one gets muddy which affects livestock.
He said farmers should dehorn the heifers to avoid injuries to other livestock when fighting and should be earmarked for easy identification.
“Farmers must have two kraals for shifting during the rainy season because the mud causes diseases, dehorning is important to avoid injuries to other livestock and earmarking is essential for easy identification when lost,” said Mahoya.
