Zimbabwe rehabilitates dip tanks to protect cattle
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The Zimbabwean Government recently opened the Godlwayo 2 Dip Tank in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South province, as part of a national effort to improve livestock health.
Dr. Pious Makaya of the Directorate of Veterinary Services urged local farmers to maintain the new infrastructure and contribute to the national herd’s growth. The opening of Godlwayo 2 Dip Tank is one step in a larger program to rehabilitate 600 dip tanks across the country by 2026.
Government officials have already repaired 481 dip tanks nationwide, reaching 80.2 percent of their yearly goal. This initiative aims to prevent livestock diseases, control ticks, and protect Zimbabwe’s cattle population, which is vital to the country’s economy and rural communities. The program aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, a plan to achieve an upper-middle-income society, and the National Development Strategy 2, which prioritizes livestock development.
Between January 2022 and September 2026, tick-borne diseases killed 3,947 cattle in Umzingwane district, but officials reported no new cases this year thanks to consistent chemical supplies and a regular dipping schedule. The new and renovated dip tanks will serve over 36 households and protect more than 200 cattle, contributing to food security and economic growth. The project involved collaboration between the government, the Umzingwane Rural District Council, and the local Godlwayo community, who provided both labor and materials.
