"Solar-Powered Spray Race: A Game-Changer for Zimbabwe’s Rural Livestock Health and Sustainability"

The Zimbabwean government and various agricultural organizations have invested in dipping infrastructure in the past, rehabilitating over 200 dip tanks under national projects. However, the limited reach of these projects indicates an opportunity to expand coverage through spray race installations, especially in rural communities that lack access to traditional dipping facilities​.

The role of a solar spray race scheme in Zimbabwe

Implementing solar-powered spray races for cattle, combined with a sustainable agricultural setup, could play a transformative role in Zimbabwe’s rural communities by enhancing livestock health, ensuring food security, and promoting economic resilience. Cattle are central to rural livelihoods in Zimbabwe; about 60% of rural households depend on cattle for milk, meat, labour, and as a form of financial security. However, tick-borne diseases, especially January disease (also known as Theileriosis), pose a significant threat to these livelihoods. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), January disease alone accounts for nearly 75% of cattle deaths in Zimbabwe due to inadequate tick control, making effective and sustainable dipping solutions vital.

Challenges in previous projects

Traditional dip tanks, while effective in theory, face challenges in practice. Many dip tanks, which rely on large volumes of water and chemicals, have fallen into disrepair or are non-operational due to inconsistent water supply, maintenance issues, and the high cost of dip chemicals. According to recent reports, of the thousands of dip tanks installed, only a fraction remains in regular use. The Zimbabwean government, through the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), has made efforts to rehabilitate and restock these tanks and has launched the Presidential Tick Grease Program to address some gaps. This program distributes tick grease to about a million households, though challenges persist due to limited accessibility, infrastructure decay, and the need for frequent maintenance.

Resolution:

A solar-powered spray race system presents a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional dipping. Unlike dip tanks, spray races require significantly less water, using only targeted amounts for each animal rather than filling a large tank. This approach not only reduces water consumption but also allows for controlled application of chemicals, decreasing waste and minimizing the environmental impact. By operating on solar power, these systems also bypass the need for costly diesel or electricity, making them more cost-effective and accessible, especially in areas with limited infrastructure.

A suggestion to add the solar powered spray race scheme to the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme

The Zimbabwean government has been implementing the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme to alleviate water scarcity in rural areas. This initiative, supported by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and various local partners, aims to provide clean, accessible water to rural communities and arid regions across the country. The goal is to drill and equip 35,000 boreholes in villages nationwide, with each borehole connected to a solar-powered system and 20,000-liter water tanks to ensure a steady water supply. This project is addressing critical water shortages in regions like Chipinge and Chimanimani, where locals have historically struggled with unreliable water sources. Alongside clean drinking water, these boreholes support agricultural activities, enabling the cultivation of crops and livestock farming, which in turn contributes to food security and economic development in these areas.

Benefits of integrating the two projects

Integrating this spray race system with a borehole-supported water supply, a 10,000-liter water tank, and a fenced agricultural area could further enhance the resilience and self-sufficiency of rural communities. The setup could be used not only to supply water to the spray race but also to irrigate a communal garden, where villagers could grow vegetables or even cash crops. Additionally, manure from cattle could serve as an organic fertilizer for the garden, creating a closed-loop system that supports both crop production and livestock health.

The benefits of such a system extend beyond disease control and water savings. First, the reduction in cattle mortality due to tick-borne diseases would protect household incomes and food sources for countless families. Secondly, the introduction of a community garden would improve food security, offering a reliable source of nutrition for rural households. Finally, by enabling villagers to grow crops for sale, this model could stimulate local economies, creating more resilient rural communities.

Conclusion

Given Zimbabwe’s heavy reliance on agriculture, investing in solar-powered spray races integrated with sustainable agriculture infrastructure aligns with national priorities for rural development. It provides a holistic solution that not only protects cattle but also promotes overall community well-being, making it a valuable model for rural transformation in Zimbabwe.

How to implement this

To implement a solar-powered spray race project with integrated agricultural benefits, a phased approach and collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and NGOs would be ideal. Here's a breakdown of the most effective way to bring this project to fruition:

1. Needs Assessment and Community Engagement

• Conduct Local Research: Begin by identifying key areas where cattle farming is prevalent, and livestock health is a top priority. Engage with local agricultural offices, veterinary services, and rural councils to gather data on current dipping facilities, water availability, and cattle mortality rates due to tick-borne diseases.

• Community Meetings: Organize meetings with local farmers, community leaders, and government representatives to introduce the project, gain buy-in, and understand the specific challenges and requirements of each community. This step is essential for promoting community ownership and ensuring local needs are fully addressed.

2. Pilot Projects and Site Selection

• Choose Representative Sites: Select one or two pilot locations with different environmental or logistical conditions (such as varying water access and cattle populations). These sites should ideally have an existing dip tank or spray facility for rehabilitation, if possible, to minimize setup costs and avoid redundancy.

  
  

• Install Initial Solar-Powered Spray Race and Agricultural Setup: Each pilot site would receive a solar-powered spray race setup along with a borehole, a 10,000-liter tank, and a fenced communal garden area. Involve local labour in the setup, providing them with technical training for installation, maintenance, and operation.

  
  

3. Training and Capacity Building

• Train Local Operators and Farmers: Collaborate with the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) or other relevant entities to train farmers and community members on how to use the spray race, calibrate the system, and apply safe chemical doses. Additionally, educate them on maintaining the borehole and solar equipment to ensure long-term functionality.

• Garden and Composting Education: Provide training on garden management and the benefits of using cattle manure for composting. This can help maximize the crop yield and further contribute to food security and sustainability for the community.

  

  
  

4. Data Collection and Monitoring

• Evaluate Pilot Program Success: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as reductions in cattle mortality rates, water usage, and crop yields from the community garden. Monitoring animal health and economic benefits (e.g., income from crops or cattle) will help evaluate the system's impact.

• Collect Feedback for Improvement: Gather community feedback and make necessary adjustments. Understanding any unforeseen issues or logistical challenges will provide insights for scaling up the project.

  
  

5. Scale-Up and Replication

• Expand to Additional Communities: With evidence from the pilot projects, seek government support and partnerships with NGOs or agricultural cooperatives to expand the solar-powered spray race and garden system to additional communities.

• Funding and Subsidies: Secure funding from government grants, international aid, and non-profit organizations, potentially through Zimbabwe's Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development or through international development agencies interested in rural development.

• Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Establish a system of routine maintenance checks, supported by regional agricultural officers, to ensure the longevity of the solar-powered systems, boreholes, and spray races. Creating local job opportunities around maintenance and operations can contribute to sustained success.

Benefits of This Approach

This phased implementation, focused on community engagement and training, helps ensure the program’s acceptance and long-term sustainability. The benefits of this approach go beyond improved cattle health: it promotes self-sufficiency, reduces economic dependency, and increases food security. With effective monitoring and adjustments, this system can provide a replicable model for sustainable livestock and crop management in rural Zimbabwe, bringing long-term health, economic, and environmental benefits.

References

For further insight into Zimbabwe’s livestock challenges, see:

• FAO reports on tick-borne diseases and livestock mortality in Africa

• Ministry of Agriculture's data on smallholder farming and cattle populations in Zimbabwe