Dear Member, Stakeholder and Supplier
I enjoyed a visit to Bulawayo and Gweru two weeks ago. It was very good to see farmers doing their best to keep our industry going. It seems most areas in Matabeleland and Gweru have had reasonable rains for grass growth. There seems to be improved demand for milk after the Christmas problems but quality is of key importance if processors are going to take our milk. There are reports of milk being rejected for various reasons including contamination. Despite the lack of ZESA now being a way of life the onus is on the farmer to produce good, fresh milk. I am happy to report that DZL staff in Gweru informed us that, at long last, they are installing a generator. Having visited some of the small-scale centres we are working with it was clear that God and NADF can only help those that help themselves.
The NADF Executive are meeting in Harare on the 24th February 2010. Should you have any queries or issues, please raise these with your Regional Chairman and these will be discussed at our meeting. NADF welcomes input from all stakeholders.
Dr Rachel Stewart visited Mozambique week before last and has reported that her visit went well. She has visited many areas in Zimbabwe since her return and notes that there have been multiple outbreaks of Anthrax country wide and stresses that farmers should ensure that their livestock are vaccinated to prevent sudden deaths. She reports that there have also been a few cases of Three Day Stiff Sickness appearing and warned farmers to be on the lookout for this.
Myself and Dr Rachel Stewart attended Regional Meetings in Gweru and Bulawayo and these meetings were well supported. A big thank you to Derek and Sandy Shaw and Veneka Bwerinofa, Starr Glen Williamson and Craig and Shannon Follwell for arranging these meetings at such short notice.
Evictions and disruptions on dairy farms is a major issue considering the efforts by many to re-build the dairy industry in Zimbabwe. Despite many attempts we, Mr Mupunga and I, have failed to secure an appointment with the Minister of Agriculture.
The incidence of theileriosis is on the increase and is normal for this time of the year. Producers are encouraged to focus on their dipping programmes paying particular attention to dips being used with reference to tick resistance.
DVS have assured us that the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the Masvingo Province is under control.
The removal of the 15% VAT on the sale of live animals is making slow progress and a conclusive decision is awaited from the Ministry of Finance.
STABEX ’95 MARKETING SUPPORT PROGRAMME
Week before last Rob, Sue, Farai and Linda attended the EU Review Workshop held at St. Lucia Park for all beneficiaries under the Stabex Programme. This was a chance for the participants to share their year’s progress, project plan for 2010 and detailed plans for the next quarter, including financial plans. It was very interesting to hear from the various projects and share the successes and challenges faced by all. We are happy to report that NADF received positive feedback on both our presentations and activities for both programmes – we look forward to a successful year!
The following day the delegation went on a field trip to 2 of the projects under the Trade and Marketing Component – the beneficiaries under this component are NADF and Zimtrade. On NADF’s side, we visited the Marirangwe Milk Collection Centre. Delegates were given a history of the centre and updated on the project progress, followed by a tour of the Centre. They then proceeded to visit three farmers in the vicinity of the Centre, two of which were managing demonstration plots for the programme. From here they proceeded to Mamina Dam, near Ngezi which is a small-holder irrigation programme for vegetable growers, being implemented by Zimtrade. This included a visit to the dam and several vegetable plots being operated under the Programme.
Last week myself and Rachel joined the rest of the team for a visit to Umzingwane, Gokwe and Guruve. The main purpose being for the team to evaluate project progress, we also intend to visit a few member farmers in the areas, in particular those managing demonstration plots.
STABEX ’95 ESSENTIAL VACCINE PROGRAMME
The NADF has finalised agreements with NFB Logistics for the hire of a 3 tonne refrigerated vehicle to assist with the distribution of vaccines around the country and this vehicle was used to transport vaccines to Gweru and Bulawayo last week. In addition the NADF has signed an agreement with Front Line Farming Fivet in Bulawayo and they have a limited vaccine stock stored in their cold rooms. They are now an official distribution centre for vaccines in Matabeleland. Negotiations are still in progress to establish distributors in Masvingo, Mutare and Mvurwi.
At a Livestock Liaison Committee Meeting held on 22nd January 2010 it was agreed that with immediate effect applicants who have their vaccine order approved will have SEVEN (7) days from date of issue of the Vaccine Drawdown Authorisation Form to collect the form from NADF and vaccines from FIVET Animal Health, after which their allocation will be cancelled and a new application form will be required. This is to facilitate Fivet with limited refrigeration space and will get the vaccines moving quickly out to the country so that more drawdown orders can be received from OPB in Pretoria.
In addition, for vaccine orders that require payment, payment MUST be made in FULL before vaccines will be released by FIVET. Failure to pay will result in the entire order being cancelled.
These steps are not unreasonable as delays in collection of vaccines is causing problems with monitoring stock levels and therefore vaccine availability.
The NADF has been able to finalise new arrangements for the collection of Dairy Mail magazines from South Africa and we expect to take delivery of a bumper load of these magazines early next week.
LIVESTOCK THEFT
Should you have experienced stock theft, please contact [email protected] to obtain a report form as we will be working closely with the Business Against Stock Theft Forum.
LIVESTOCK INFORMATION
We have in stock and available at our offices at present :
Animal Foods of Central Africa Technical Handbook @ US$5,00 each
Stock Registers @ US$1,00 each
Dairy Handbooks @ US$40,00 each
Cattle Producers’ Association Beef Production Manual @ US$40,00 each
Should you be interested in purchasing any of the above manuals, please call at Commercial Farmers Union, Agriculture House and see Debbie Mylroie.
AJS KIRK
CHAIRMAN