Zimbabwe has developed an animal antibiotic that is set to ”revolutionise” the agricultural sector, Harare’s Herald newspaper reported on Thursday.
Its website said the new drug would bolster the control of internal and external parasites in livestock.
Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdc) chief executive Robson Mafoti said the antibiotic, Sirdamectin, was one of the most effective animal drugs produced to date.
”Our animal antibiotic Sirdamectin will revolutionise the agricultural sector. Sirdc continues with its research agenda in order to come up with other products, some of which we shall soon be commercialising,” he said.
Mafoti said with the introduction of the locally-made drug, Zimbabwe would be able to fight diseases at a lower cost.
Sirdc was working with the Medical Control Authority of Zimbabwe to get its manufacturing facility qualified. The organisation, he said, was working with the department ofveterinary services in carrying out an efficacy trial for the drug.
Large numbers of cattle die from tick-borne diseases in Zimbabwe every year, especially during the rainy season. – Sapa