TOXIC ALARM: Zimbabwe farmers feed ARVs to chickens in bid to boost growth
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FSAAJP-ARV-POULTRY-ZIM-02_792874.jpg&w=1024)
TOXIC ALARM Zimbabwe farmers feed ARVs to chickens in bid to boost growth In this desperate attempt to increase profits, the farmers are posing serious health risks to consumers and undermining HIV treatment efficacy. Farmers believe the drugs protect their stock from diseases and act as growth stimulants. This means fewer deaths and quicker turnaround of chickens for slaughter.
- ▪TOXIC ALARM Zimbabwe farmers feed ARVs to chickens in bid to boost growth In this desperate attempt to increase profits, the farmers are posing serious health risks to consumers and undermining HIV treatment efficacy.
- ▪Farmers believe the drugs protect their stock from diseases and act as growth stimulants.
- ▪This means fewer deaths and quicker turnaround of chickens for slaughter.
Daily Maverick publishes from South Africa and files mainly under world. We currently carry 129 of its stories.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
TOXIC ALARM Zimbabwe farmers feed ARVs to chickens in bid to boost growth In this desperate attempt to increase profits, the farmers are posing serious health risks to consumers and undermining HIV treatment efficacy. By Dalphine Tagwireyi 26 Jul 2026 A worker holds a one-week-old broiler chick at a poultry farm just outside Harare on 17 July 2026. (Photo: Aaron Ufumeli / SAAJP) Dive Deeper Speed Read Summary Listen Dive Deeper In a drive to maximise profits, Zimbabwean chicken farmers regularly buy antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), intended for HIV patients in the country, on the black market to mix into chicken feed. Farmers believe the drugs protect their stock from diseases and act as growth stimulants. This means fewer deaths and quicker turnaround of chickens for slaughter.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Daily Maverick.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Daily Maverick
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FOped-Bank-ECnamesTW-main_941085.jpg&w=320)
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FED_616512_739927.jpg&w=320)
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FED_577165_655298.jpg&w=320)
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FKevin-AvrumBurgcopy_763055.jpg&w=320)
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2Forphans%2FGrootes-DA-Control_569045.jpg&w=320)
%2Ffile%2Fattachments%2F2987%2F13667877_409169.jpg&w=320)