For rural farming communities in Zimbabwe, cattle are more than just animals – they are the lifeblood of their livelihoods. Providing draught power for ploughing, acting as a source of income, and contributing to the ability to pay for children’s education, cattle have long been integral to the fabric of life.
However, in recent years, these communities have been devastated by the decline of critical infrastructure, such as ageing dip tanks and increasing water scarcity, leaving their herds vulnerable to dangerous tick-borne diseases.
“When our cattle started dying, we lost our draught power for farming. Families had nothing to sell, and many children had to drop out of school,” says Oppa Chinhamhora, a local traditional leader in Shurugwi district.
“It was a major social problem for our community.”
The Mupangai livestock development committee, which oversees one of the district’s dip tanks, has witnessed firsthand the challenges caused by these issues. Kudakwashe Mafuta, the secretary of the committee, notes, “In the past, we were failing to dip our cattle weekly due to the lack of water. This resulted in a lot of cattle dying from January disease (theileriosis).”
But hope has arrived in Zimbabwe, thanks to the joint efforts of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). FAO, funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), is spearheading an initiative to rehabilitate aging dip tanks and provide reliable water sources by drilling boreholes in affected communities.
As part of the ongoing project, essential infrastructure such as races, superstructures, roofs, and collection pens is being repaired, and standard structures like toilets and soak-away pits, which were previously missing, are being installed.
“The rehabilitation of these dip tanks is vital for both the animals and the farmers,” explains Felistas Ndhlovu, coordinator of the Mitigating the Impact of Livestock Diseases in Zimbabwe project.
Revitalising water access
Currently, 40 dip tanks are being rehabilitated, and 20 boreholes are being drilled across six districts: Chirumhanzu, Shurugwi, Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Insiza, and Umzingwane.
The project also includes the installation of solar-powered boreholes to provide clean water for both livestock and household use. These improvements will support irrigation systems, contribute to community resilience in the face of climate change, and help address water shortages.
“Access to water has been the biggest challenge, leading to irregular dipping and devastating livestock losses,” says Loice Muza, a veterinary extension supervisor. “This support is a game-changer that will save countless animals and livelihoods.”
The impact of these improvements is already evident, as the rehabilitation of dip tanks ensures that cattle will receive regular treatment to prevent the spread of deadly diseases. Dr Lindsay Muchetu, the local government veterinary officer for Shurugwi District, notes, “This borehole will not only serve the dip tank but will also provide the community with clean, safe drinking water.”
The project has also empowered women in the community, as Clara Sarema, a dip tank committee member, explains. “The new water source will reduce the burden of fetching water from long distances, allowing me to start a small garden to feed my family and sell the extra crops. As women, we’re also getting jobs during the construction, which is a big help.”
Reviving the livestock industry
As the dip tank renovations and borehole drilling are near completion, farmers in Zimbabwe are hopeful for the revival of their livestock industry.
“We’re so grateful to FAO and USAID for this life-changing assistance,” says Chinhamhora. “It’s going to make a huge difference for our community and our children’s future.”
To ensure the sustainability of the interventions, the project will support the establishment of revolving funds for dip tank rehabilitation and insurance schemes for borehole maintenance.
FAO livestock specialist Fortune Kachidza highlights the importance of training local committees on governance issues, as well as creating funds and insurance to protect against theft, damage, and vandalism.
Additionally, local extension workers will be trained, and livestock development committees will be strengthened to ensure long-term benefits.
Kachidza underscores the importance of building proper accountability systems to maintain the livestock infrastructure and sustain the positive impacts of donor funding.
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