Veterinary Services, Zimbabwe

14/08/2025

Zimbabwe Secures Critical WOAH Vaccine Boost in Fight to Eradicate Rabies by 2030
Zimbabwe’s campaign to eradicate rabies has gained decisive momentum with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), delivering 100,000 doses of rabies vaccines. The formal handover on August 13, 2025, at the Ministry in Harare, marked a great stride toward breaking the deadly cycle of transmission.
WOAH’s Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa, Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo, stressed that targeting densely populated areas through mass dog vaccination is the most effective route to halting the disease. He hailed Zimbabwe’s unwavering resolve and reaffirmed WOAH’s enduring partnership in this life-saving mission.
Deputy Minister Hon. Davis Marapira called the donation a priceless safeguard for communities, while Chief Director for Veterinary Services Dr. Pious Makaya acknowledged the persistent challenge rabies poses. He voiced optimism that, with sustained resources, the national goal of eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030 is within reach.
The latest consignment pushes Zimbabwe’s reserves beyond 356,000 doses, over halfway to the 600,000 target. The Ministry pledged intensified urban vaccination blitzes, reinforced by nationwide awareness drives and the promotion of responsible dog ownership.

13/08/2025

Zimbabwe Champions Regional Effort to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquaculture

Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable aquaculture and the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as it hosts the Regional Workshop on AMR in Aquaculture for English-speaking African countries. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Davis Marapira said, the initiative aligns with the country’s Vision 2030 goal of achieving upper-middle-income status through sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate-resilient food systems. As the current chair of SADC, Zimbabwe is leveraging its leadership role to drive collaborative regional action on this pressing issue.
Noting aquaculture’s growing role in global food supply, Hon. Marapira noted that the sector is expected to help meet a projected 35%–56% increase in food demand between 2010 and 2050. He said SADC’s 2023–2032 Sustainable Economic Strategy and Action Plan, aligned with Vision 2050, offers a guiding framework for managing aquatic resources sustainably while boosting economic inclusivity and environmental resilience. Zimbabwe, with over 10,600 clean water bodies, more than 50% of SADC’s total—holds a unique advantage in expanding aquaculture production.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that antimicrobial resistance is one of the most significant threats to global health, food security, and sustainable development. In rapidly growing aquaculture markets like Africa, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials threaten trade, public health, and environmental stability. Zimbabwe’s One Health AMR National Action Plan (2024–2028) prioritises aquatic animal health, biosecurity, prudent antimicrobial use, and education to safeguard the sector’s sustainability.
He also acknowledged the challenges in combating AMR, including limited access to vaccines and probiotics, regulatory gaps, and fragmented data collection.

08/08/2025

Dominating the Niloticus Market, Zimbabwe Moves to Scale Crocodile Export Thrust

Chief Director of the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Dr. Pious Makaya, recently conducted a strategic tour of Binga Crocodile Farm, a key player in Zimbabwe’s exotic livestock sector, renowned for its export of premium crocodile skin and local distribution of crocodile meat.

Framing the visit within the broader economic context, Dr. Makaya underscored that crocodile skin ranks among Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency earners, while the industry drives employment and economic growth. His visit was a calculated initiative to explore pathways for scaling up crocodile production, whose exports already reach Europe, Asia, and other global markets. He noted that facilitating such trade is a core mandate of the Directorate of Veterinary Services.

Meanwhile, the farm’s Company Veterinarian, Dr. Noble Sakuringwa stated the operation’s strength, over 600 breeding crocodiles, with skin as the flagship product and meat catering to domestic consumers. He affirmed that the farm stands as the largest employer in Binga District, anchoring livelihoods and driving the local economy.

Zimbabwe’s crocodile farming sector plays a pivotal role in the nation’s agro‑wildlife economy. Crocodile skin exports surged by 56 percent in 2023 alone, rising from US$22 million to US$34 million, and supporting roughly 1,600 direct jobs. Zimbabwe remains the world’s second-largest exporter of Nile crocodile products and leads the Niloticus skin market with around 45 % global share.

Food Security: Everywhere, Everyday

08/08/2025

High Alert: Zimbabwe on Guard Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Zimbabwe remains on high alert following reports of a confirmed incursion of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Botswana’s Chobe District, which shares a border with Hwange District in Zimbabwe.

Given this development, along with the growing number of infected neighbouring countries, it is imperative to maintain heightened vigilance and strengthen surveillance activities. Farmers and poultry producers are strongly urged to adhere to strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease

06/08/2025

"Protecting Our Flocks, Securing Our Future 🐓💕!

The Department of Veterinary Field Services (DFVS) has launched a mass Newcastle disease vaccination campaign in rural areas, safeguarding the livelihoods of our communities.

By vaccinating birds using a simple eye-drop method, we're creating a protective shield against outbreaks that threaten food security and income.

A big thank you to our dedicated team for their hard work in making this campaign a success! 🙏 Newcastle disease vaccination campaigns are part of the Government's efforts to safeguard livelihoods through animal health initiatives ..

Check out our vaccination efforts in Ward 18, Bulilima, Matabeleland South Province. Let's work together to build a healthier, more resilient future for our communities.

Newcastle Disease "

06/08/2025

Boosting Livestock Health in Bulilima

The Presidential Blitz Tickgrease Program is making a difference in Ward 19, Figtree, Bulilima district 104 farmers have received tick grease to protect their livestock from deadly tick-borne diseases like Heartwater, Theileriosis, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis.

Thanks to our dedicated veterinary extension officer, Mncedisi, and dip attendant, Hlonipani Ngwenya, for distributing the tick grease and helping to safeguard the community's food and income sources. 🙏

This initiative is a vital step towards ensuring the health and productivity of our local cattle herd.

05/08/2025

Military-Civil Synergy Delivers Cutting-Edge Veterinary Office in Binga, Zimbabwe's Livestock Heartland

Today, a historic milestone unfolded in Binga District, Matabeleland North Province, as the Zimbabwe National Army officially handed over a state-of-the-art District Veterinary Office to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. This flagship facility, the result of a powerful collaboration among the Ministry, Zimbabwe National Army, and the Department of Public Works, is set to transform livestock production in Binga, a district home to over 106,000 cattle and heavily reliant on livestock for household livelihoods.

05/08/2025

Community Spirit Ignites Rural Transformation: Farmers Build Animal Health Management Centre (AHMC)

In a stirring display of community-driven development, farmers in Ward 7, Huchu, Gokwe South have banded together with passion and purpose to build an Animal Health Management Center (AHMC), a cornerstone facility for veterinary services in the region. Born of necessity and sustained by collective will, this self-initiated project epitomises the deep impact of participatory development when communities harness their own agency and resources.

14/01/2023

14/01/2023

20/08/2022

04/08/2022

Field Standard Operating Procedures training workshop currently underway for Matebeleland North and South extension workers. The exercise addresses technical gaps in the provision of veterinary extension services to livestock farmers.

Thanks to the generous support from the SAFE project with technical assistance from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme - ZAGP .More programs to be availed to capacitate extension workers.