The Government of Zimbabwe has begun formal talks with the Republic of Belarus to expand bilateral cooperation into animal health, in a move aimed at protecting the national herd from devastating tick-borne diseases such as January Disease (JD), which continues to claim thousands of cattle each year across the country.
The discussions follow the success of Zimbabwe’s national tractor and farm mechanisation programmes implemented in partnership with Belarus. While the equipment programme has helped improve land preparation and productivity, authorities say livestock health is now an equally urgent concern, particularly for smallholder farmers who depend on cattle for draught power, income, and household food security.
Speaking during a meeting held yesterday with a Belarusian delegation, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Davis Marapira, said the protection of the national herd has become a top government priority.
“We have the tractors to till the land, and now we must have the medicine to save our cows,” said Hon. Marapira, underscoring the need to complement mechanisation with effective veterinary support.
The Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) is playing a key role in facilitating the partnership and coordinating efforts to introduce high-quality veterinary medicines from BelAgroGen, a specialist animal health company based in Belarus. The proposed medicines will target ticks, internal parasites such as worms, and lung infections that are responsible for major livestock losses, particularly during the rainy season when disease outbreaks are most severe.
The Belarusian delegation was led by Ambassador H.E. Gen. Ihar Marshalau, accompanied by Mr. Raman Kozyr, Counsellor at the Embassy of Belarus, and Mr. Andrei Molchan, Deputy Director of BelAgroGen and a former Ambassador. The visiting team engaged government officials and farmer representatives on possible supply chains, technical cooperation, and long-term investment in Zimbabwe’s veterinary services.
Beyond the provision of drugs, the proposed partnership is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s animal health systems through the development of modern local testing laboratories and the training of veterinary and extension teams. These measures will help farmers identify diseases early, respond quickly to outbreaks, and reduce preventable livestock deaths.
“The ultimate goal is to stop the livestock deaths that have hit our communities hard, ensuring our herd grows and stays healthy,” said Hon. Marapira. “By working with world-class experts, the Ministry and ZFU aim to ensure that every farmer—whether you own two cows or two hundred—has the tools to stop tick-borne diseases before they strike.”
The Deputy Minister was accompanied by the Chief Director of the Veterinary Services Directorate, Dr. Pious Makaya, and his team of veterinary specialists. If finalized, the partnership is expected to boost livestock productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods, and contribute to national food security and economic growth.
