15m vaccines to fight Newcastle disease - The Herald

The Herald

George Maponga and Mandaza Chikarango

Zimbabwe is in the process of producing 15 million doses of vaccine against Newcastle to protect poultry.

The Department of Veterinary Services is producing the vaccine, to save the poultry in communal areas.

The Presidential Rural Poultry Scheme was launched in Masvingo last week and about 3 million rural households will each receive 10 chicks over the next two to three years.

At the moment, there are reports that some farmers in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East Province, have lost considerable numbers of chickens due to the Newcastle disease, making the production of the vaccine timely.

The Department of Veterinary Services says there are plans to vaccinate chickens countrywide as part of the Government's drive to build a multi-million-dollar poultry industry that is expected to boost rural incomes and nutrition, in line with Vision 2030.

The Government wants to make Zimbabwe one of the biggest exporters of eggs, organic chicken and chicken meat over the next five years.

President Mnangagwa, who was represented at the launch of the poultry scheme by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka at Sipambi Business Centre in Masvingo last week, said all rural chickens would be vaccinated as part of the drive to grow the rural poultry industry.

"The Department of Veterinary Services will vaccinate all village chickens in the rural areas against Newcastle disease and some 15 million doses are already being produced," said the President. Other diseases that affect poultry that would be addressed include infectious bronchitis, coryza, and fowl pox. Already, nearly 16 000 chickens in three rural wards have been vaccinated.

In respect of the chicken deaths in Goromonzi, the Department of Veterinary Services director, Dr Josphat Nyika, said they had not received reports of an outbreak of the Newcastle disease.

"As the Veterinary Services Department, we are yet to receive a single complaint. If we receive any, we will address cases accordingly. We urge people to report to our department if they suspect such cases," said Dr Nyika.

But a Goromonzi farmer, Mr Peter Mhike, said he lost 100 chickens in the last week and fears that he may lose more.

"The chickens show a sign of weakness, loss of appetite, sneezing with swollen glands, have problems walking and within a few hours, they die. We are now afraid to lose our birds," said Mr Mhike.

Another affected farmer, Mr Graduate Magutakuona, said he had resorted to traditional ways of treating his chickens.

"I had 45 chickens and I lost them all, at times 20 chickens would die on the same day and the fowl run has been swept clean.

"If the situation remains like this, we will end up losing hope on the poultry business. Yes, we are resorting to traditional ways, but the situation remains the same," he said.

Mr Justice Magombedze said he has been shattered after losing 60 chickens.

"I am stranded; the chickens were my only source of income. I don't know where to start from. Poultry was my reliable source money for children's school fees and livelihood for his family," said Mr Magombedze.