Government intensifies tsetse fly control efforts

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

 Speaking to The Herald yesterday in Banket on the sidelines of a three-day strategic review workshop, Mashonaland West’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Department of Tsetse Control Director, Mr Alban Mhindurwa said concerted efforts were needed to win the fight against tsetse fly.

Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau

The Department of Tsetse Control has adopted the whole of Government approach to the fight against Tsetse Fly in Mashonaland West Province, which has over 87 percent of the national total infected area.

Out of the 18 400 square kilometres infested by the deadly insect that affects livestock and wild animals, 16 000 square kilometres have been recorded in Mashonaland West’s communal and wildlife areas, making it a national challenge.

The total communal area that the government is still to get rid of the flies amounts to over 3 500 square kilometres of which the majority is in Mashonaland West’s Kazangarare, Mola, Doma areas and Mashonaland Central’s Mbire and Chikafa areas.

Tsetse flies spread diseases that affect both humans and livestock, including sleeping sickness and animal trypanosomosis.

The diseases can have a devastating impact on people and animals and can limit agriculture and economic development, a move detrimental to the government’s efforts to increase the national herd.

Speaking to The Herald yesterday in Banket on the sidelines of a three-day strategic review workshop, Mashonaland West’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Department of Tsetse Control Director, Mr Alban Mhindurwa said concerted efforts were needed to win the fight against tsetse fly.