THE Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), Zimbabwe’s sole supplier of livestock vaccines, has signalled a strategic shift from mere distribution to technical collaboration by engaging directly with the country’s dairy sector.
For the first time, BVI will attend the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) annual general meeting (AGM) next week in Harare, aiming to strengthen ties with an industry that comprises 67 000 cattle out of Zimbabwe’s national herd of 5,7 million.
The move underscores BVI’s commitment to providing not only vaccines but also technical support, including disease surveillance, diagnostics, and post-vaccination interventions.
Officials say the engagement aligns with efforts to enhance livestock health and productivity in Zimbabwe’s critical dairy sector.
“We have historically been the sole supplier to Zimbabwe, which in turn manages the vaccination campaigns,” Botswana Vaccine Institute chief executive officer Andrew Madeswi said in an interview.
“Out of the 5,7 million cattle in Zimbabwe, 67 000 are in the dairy sector, we find this to be a compelling story for us to begin to work with the ZADF and decided to attend their AGM for the first time this year so that we could interact with them and hear them out.
“Our attendance of the ZADF AGM is a clear testimony that we do not only want to dispatch vaccines but also offer technical support including surveillance, diagnostics and post vaccination interventions.”
The BVI chief, set to speak at the AGM, warned that foot-and-mouth disease is an imminent regional threat, with buffalo populations serving as natural carriers.
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While Zimbabwe has one of the best mechanisms for the control of and management of the disease including vaccination campaigns and zoning, Madeswi noted that outbreaks and spread remain a threat.
“BVI is currently expanding its production capacity to be able to adequately facilitate the region. We are also growing our research and development to enhance our responsiveness as well as deal with emerging trends in animal diseases,” he said.
Scheduled for July 23, 2025, the AGM will run under the theme Promoting Sustainable Milk Production Growth.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Jongwe Masuka will be the guest speaker.
BVI was established in 1979 as an autonomous and totally self-financing company wholly owned by the Government of Botswana.
