Zimbabwe seeks Belarusian support to fight livestock diseases

The Zimbabwean government is turning to Belarus for assistance in combating January Disease (Theileriosis) and other tick-borne infections devastating cattle herds nationwide.

Discussions took place on Wednesday when Davis Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, met with Belarusian representatives to explore the supply of veterinary medicines and ways to strengthen local disease control capacity.

January Disease and related tick-borne illnesses continue to cause significant livestock losses, particularly during the rainy season when tick infestations surge. Marapira emphasized the importance of protecting Zimbabwe's national herd, building on the progress 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," Marapira said. "The ultimate goal is to stop the livestock deaths that have hit our communities hard, ensuring our herd grows and stays healthy."

The Zimbabwe Farmers Union is facilitating the partnership with BelAgroGen, a Belarusian firm specializing in veterinary pharmaceuticals. The collaboration will focus on introducing high-quality medicines to combat ticks, internal parasites, and respiratory infections in cattle.

The Belarusian delegation was led by Ihar Marshalau, Belarusian ambassador to Zimbabwe, alongside embassy counsellor Raman Kozyr and Andrei Molchan, deputy director of BelAgroGen and former ambassador.

The partnership is expected to bolster Zimbabwe's efforts to safeguard livestock and secure the livelihoods of farming communities.