MASVINGO, Aug.5 (NewsDay Live) -Government has stepped up efforts to shield the national herd from disease and drought, with Masvingo province leading an intensified livestock protection drive that has already seen more than 160 000 cattle vaccinated against anthrax, well above the initial target of 130 000.
The aggressive campaign comes as authorities prepare for an anticipated El Niño-induced drought next season, with officials rolling out diptank rehabilitation, water development, feed preservation and farmer training to build resilience in vulnerable communities.
Speaking to the media recently , chief director for the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Pious Makaya, said Government is strengthening disease surveillance and prevention systems to protect food security and livestock-based livelihoods as climate shocks increase.
“Government is committed to building a resilient and productive livestock sector capable of withstanding both drought and disease threats,” Makaya said. “The nationwide vaccination drive, coupled with improved animal health infrastructure and farmer preparedness, is central to that strategy.”
In Masvingo, the anthrax vaccination programme was launched at Makurumidze diptank in Zimuto. Provincial veterinary officer Kremar Manyetu said the focus was on historic anthrax hotspots where dormant spores are likely to resurface as grazing diminishes during dry periods.
"Our focus in Masvingo is on prevention before the drought hits. Anthrax spores lie dormant in the soil and resurface when grazing is poor, so we are targeting both historic hotspots and new areas. Vaccinating over 160 000 cattle already, rehabilitating 120 diptanks, and drilling boreholes is all about making sure farmers do not lose their herds the way we did during the 2015/16 El Niño," said Manyetu.
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He added that the programme has now expanded beyond traditional hotspots. This year, 120 diptanks across the province are undergoing rehabilitation. The work is being done alongside borehole drilling, installation of water troughs, hay baling, fodder production, and training for farmers.
Zimbabwe’s livestock sector supports millions of rural households and is a key pillar of food security and rural income. Masvingo is one of the provinces most affected by anthrax outbreaks, with the disease often spiking during dry years when animals graze closer to the ground and ingest anthrax spores from the soil.
The last major El Niño event in 2015/16 led to widespread livestock deaths across the country due to a combination of drought, poor grazing and water shortages. To reduce that risk, Government has in recent years prioritized preventive vaccination, rehabilitation of dip tanks, and fodder conservation programmes.