Ethno veterinary practices for poultry and cattle in Zimbabwe: A case study of Takavarasha village

Ethno veterinary practices are increasingly becoming important in the primary health care of livestock the world over. This is so especially for smallholder farmers in developing countries where conventional veterinary drugs are expensive, inaccessible and unaffordable. In this study, the traditional practices used in the control of livestock diseases in Chivi district of Masvingo province in Zimbabwe were investigated. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 60 farmers sampled through a two stage process. The questionnaire sought information on common cattle and poultry ailments as well as the respective ethno veterinary practices used to control them. Information on methods used to prepare the medicines and the form in which it is administered was also collected. Eighty two percent of the farmers regarded ethno veterinary medicines as very useful in the provision of primary healthcare for the animals. A wide array of traditional remedies and their preparation methods were documented. There was also evidence of a complementary link between conventional and traditional animal health practice. This shows that farmers have alternative ways of ensuring the safety of livestock which can be used together with conventional methods to ensure livestock health.