The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
THE Command Livestock — an initiative aimed at boosting livestock farms across the country — has potential to unlock a breeding system that meets or exceeds mounting global protein demand.
The growing world population is demanding more animal protein — but currently consumption is at odds with the ability to feed or produce.
Government recently announced a $150 million livestock programme covering restocking, equipment, pasture development and resuscitation of the Cold Storage Company.
With Command Livestock — Zimbabwe is looking forward to witnessing an ambitious attempt to catapult the beef industry back to the 90s when its annual exports exceeded 14 000 tonnes, thereby injecting substantial amounts in the pockets of livestock farmers.
The country’s national herd was depleted by consecutive years of drought and diseases.
Agriculture Minister, Dr Joseph Made told The Manica Post that livestock sector was on a rebound and would soon compete against tobacco, cotton and horticulture in generating foreign currency.
Zimbabwe’s livestock sector is highly dynamic, and with improved clean breeding (non-genetically engineered breeds) will soon yield beef, milk and other products, which are better for both its people and the global market.
Dr Made said the livestock revolution was evolving in response to rapidly increasing demand for livestock products and could transform fortunes of Zimbabwean farmers if taken seriously.
The products are of exceptionally high quality, internationally favoured and in demand, whether exported in unprocessed, primary condition, or enhanced by industrial value-addition.
“Our beef is of high quality, and the demand from China, Asia, Europe, America and Africa is very high. As Government, we have come forward to help improve living and livelihood condition of grassroots people through Command Livestock, with a view to revive the national herd and export beef and other livestock products. The livestock sector will contribute significantly, alongside tobacco, cotton and horticulture, in generating foreign currency,” said Dr Made.
The quest for intensification in livestock farming follows on the heels of successful implementation of the Command Agriculture Programme that target to produce 2,2 million metric tonnes of maize in the next three years.
Boosting both crop and livestock production is key in the revival of the country’s agro-based economy.
“As you are aware, the Cold Storage Company is up and running. A new board is now in place and the recapitalisation is going well. It will spearhead the programme given its capacity as a giant meat processing firm in the country,” said Dr Made.
The livestock sector is also a unique asset to a farming family, offering a source of income, employment and nutrition, and in some cases providing draft power and crop manure.
One key area that to date requires attention to ensure its success is increasing smallholder farmers’ productivity, commercial production expansion; provision of extension treatment and other necessary services and ensuring better marketing facilities, especially for smallholders and poor farmers.
“We should ensure sustainable management of animal genetic resources, improve diagnostic capacity and veterinary clinical and extension services and ensure easy access to these services,” said Professor Joseph Kamuzhanje.
Prof Kamuzhanje, emphasised on the need to ensure availability of feed and fodder at affordable prices and provision of training to smallholders and poor farmers regarding improved livestock farming.
He highlighted the need to manage the processing and value chain of livestock products efficiently and ensuring better market linkages, especially for smallholders and poor farmers and provision of long-term credit at affordable rates.
The programme will be concentrated on the southern region of the country and cater for those involved in beef, dairy and other livestock such as poultry.
Most farmers in the southern parts of the country are into livestock farming because of the marginal rains normally received.
About 600 000 livestock farmers in Matabeleland, Masvingo and Manicaland provinces were already stacking hay and paddocking as part of the initiative.
