The SLIC programme has increased the number of dipping stations from zero to 28 in four years, which is ahead of the previous forecast which predicted 28 dipping stations would be opened by the end of 2020.

SLIC’s Livestock Technicians are trained in agrochemical handling and are present at every dipping day to manage the acaricide (pesticide targeting ticks), water levels and pH levels in the dip tanks. With veterinary backgrounds, the Livestock Technicians provide training in cattle management and assist with vaccinations, dehorning and other support where necessary. Expert veterinary advice is provided by Dr Moosa who is the vet that oversees the Silverlands’ herds.

The SLIC team consists of a financial controller, administrator, manager and eight Livestock Technicians. A learner centre has been constructed for hosting workshops and training sessions. Satellite housing facilities are also now established so Livestock Technicians can stay closer to the dip stations during the week, reducing travel times.

Part of the success of SLIC is the ownership of dipping days by communities. Silverlands acts as an invitee in communities to provide technical support and advice. A community committee runs each dip station: tracking attendance, collecting fees, providing water and maintaining infrastructure. Dipping fees (ZMK 1.50 or $0.11/animal) fund the daily expenses of the programme so the dip stations are self-financing with all fee collection managed by the community itself.

In 2012, before the SLIC programme started, 70% of households reported that their herds had been affected by cattle diseases. Cattle mortality rates in Zambia’s Southern Province stood at 9.3% (Rural Agricultural Livelihood Survey, 2012), and before new herds joined the programme in 2019, mortality rates were 10%. Comparatively, mortality rates amongst cattle within the SLIC programme have reduced to only 2.3% (an average over three years), implying a substantial benefit for these farmers.

Calving rates in smallholder herds improved 20% from 54% before joining SLIC to an average of 65% between 2016 and 2019. Calving rates have risen because cattle are healthier as a result of the dipping. More calves mean a greater income for farmers.

Silverlands partnered with the Musika at the start of the project. Musika provided donor support, advice on implementation, and assisted community surveys. Silverlands Ranching ran the day-to-day out-grower programme. To further expand on the achievements of the project, AgDevCo provided $320k in donor funding through their Smallholder Development Unit for use over three years (2018 to 2021).

SLIC helped build the Siandwazi dip station solely for goats and sheep. The station began dipping in April 2019. Located in an area with a high goat population, about 2,000 goats are brought for weekly dipping by 77 farmers (many of whom are women). Prior to dipping, it was anecdotally reported that mortality rates amongst these herds of goats was as high as 29%. This project dove-tails with the work of the Canadian NGO Sustainability through Agriculture and Micro-enterprise (SAM) Project. The SAM Project works with smallholder farmers to improve the local goat breed, encourage proper herd health and management, and teach business skills.

In this area, those with more wealth own cattle whereas goats tend to be owned by those less privileged, many being women. As such, the facility is managed by a women-only committee. In addition to improving the health of their herds, these women will benefit from the transfer of organisational and management skills, animal husbandry and financial record-keeping.