By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA-

THE Government will spend about K50 million on the construction and rehabilitation of 500 dip tanks across the country to combat livestock diseases. Agriculture and Livestock Minister Wybur Simuusa said plans were underway to construct about 200 tip tanks and rehabilitate 300 others across the country this year at the cost of K50 million. In an interview in Lusaka, Mr Simuusa said the target was to increase the number of dip tanks to combat animal diseases. This year, the Government would continue with a multi-purpose in the livestock restocking and disease control including investing in dip tanks and promotion of research in artificial insemination programmes. In the 2014 budget, the Government has allocated K231.9 million for the construction of dip tanks and silos countrywide. “We have started the vaccination programme in Southern province. We have already visited the Magoye area and Sinazeze, in addition to this the dip tanks will help prevent or combat animal diseases,” Mr Simuusa said. He said the Government’s aim was to strengthen veterinary services including surveillance, laboratory diagnostic capacity and control of animal diseases. “It is important to bring animal diseases under control as a prerequisite for productivity improvements,” he said. Mr Simuusa was delighted that the World Bank was supporting Government’s effort in disease control in the country. Zambia’s long term livestock sector strategy is to establish a disease-free zone as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health, with the objective of accessing international markets for livestock and meat products.