Investigation Exposes How Some Farmers Are Feeding ARVs To Chickens In Zimbabwe
An investigation has uncovered an illegal practice in Zimbabwe’s poultry sector in which some farmers are buying antiretroviral (ARV) medicines meant for HIV patients and mixing them into chicken feed in an effort to reduce bird deaths and increase production.
The findings, published by the Southern Africa Accountability Journalism Project (SA AJP), suggest the drugs are being sourced through the black market, with some farmers believing they help broiler chickens grow faster and survive common poultry diseases.
Health and veterinary experts have warned that the practice is unlawful and could expose consumers to drug residues while also threatening efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Also Read: Zimbabwe Donates Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARVs) To Botswana To Bridge Shortages
Farmer Admits Buying ARVs On The Black Market
Speaking to Daily Maverick, one poultry farmer from Harare, identified only as Jane to protect her identity, admitted using ARVs obtained through an illegal network linked to a health worker.
She said she turned to the drugs after repeated disease outbreaks caused heavy losses on her farm.
“Mortality was eating my profits.
“Newcastle disease would sweep through, and I was losing half my birds in some cycles. There was no money left for school fees,” she said.
According to Jane, another poultry farmer introduced her to the practice before connecting her to a supplier who allegedly sold her the medication through intermediaries using coded transactions.
She claimed that after crushing the tablets and mixing them into feed and drinking water, bird deaths declined significantly and production improved.
Jane said her business grew from around 200 birds to about 10,000 birds per production cycle, allowing her to sell chickens sooner than before.
Despite the financial benefits, she admitted she does not eat the chickens raised using the drugs.
“I don’t eat the ARV-fed chickens.
“I have my own coop behind my house where I raise free-range chickens for me and my children,” she said.
Experts Warn Of Public Health Risks
Former Government Analyst Laboratory toxicology head Daniel Zulu warned that feeding human ARVs to food-producing animals could expose consumers to drug residues.
He said repeated exposure may present risks, particularly for people living with HIV, although evidence on the long-term effects remains limited and requires further study.
Zimbabwe has about 1.3 million people living with HIV, with approximately 1.2 million currently receiving antiretroviral treatment, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Experts also raised concerns that the diversion of ARVs onto the black market could affect the availability of medicines intended for patients.
Officials Say Practice Is Widespread
An agricultural business advisory officer, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, told investigators the practice is more common than many people realise.
He said farmers in different parts of the country had admitted mixing ARVs into poultry feed in the hope of improving growth and increasing profits.
The official said extension officers regularly educate farmers about the dangers of using medicines that have not been approved for livestock.
Brian Fungai Chikodze, Registrar of the Council of Veterinary Surgeons of Zimbabwe, said ARVs are often mixed with other human medicines, including antimicrobial drugs.
He warned that misuse of such medicines contributes to antimicrobial resistance, making infections increasingly difficult to treat in both animals and humans.
Research Raises Fresh Concerns
The investigation noted that similar practices have previously been documented in Uganda and Tanzania, where researchers detected ARV residues in poultry feed and animal tissue.
However, there is currently no scientific evidence proving that ARVs themselves accelerate the growth of broiler chickens.
The practice remains prohibited under Zimbabwe’s medicines laws, which prohibit the unauthorised use of human medicines in food-producing animals.
Health experts say stronger enforcement and tighter control of medicine supplies will be needed to prevent the illegal diversion of life-saving HIV drugs while protecting both public health and the country’s food supply.
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