The Sunday Mail
Harmony Agere and Epsiya Chigumbura
Livestock breeders exhibiting at the Harare Agricultural Show have urged farmers to grow more drought and disease resilient animals to combat the obtaining effects of climate change. This follows the emergence of more drought and disease resistant cattle at the agricultural show in the past few years. While ranchers had concentrated more on exotic breeds
such as the Brahman and other genetically engineered breeds, the Boran Stud has emerged a hit at the exhibition.
With pretty much the resilience of the Hard Mashona cattle, the breed also retains the qualities of other breeds such as the Brahman and the Beef Master in terms of mass weight. And with the local climate gravitating towards drier conditions, ranchers have had to incur more cost as they have to increase feeds to supplement grazing.
It is in consideration of the above that breeding experts have encouraged the adoption of cattle that require little supplements and water. “The Boran Stud is the breed to go with, especially in times of drought,” said an exhibitor with Looe Boran breeders.
“It is just like your Hard Mashona which requires little attention. It can survive on little and even brown grass. ln the absence of grass, it can also survive on leaves and little water.
“It can also resist diseases, it produces an oily substance which kills parasites so it is the kind of cattle you can keep at your rural home.
“When it comes to beef output, it contends with all the other larger breeds because it can still put in the kgs.”
Another exhibitor with Lupards, Takudzwa Maraire, said cross breeding is now more important than ever in as much as climate resilient breeds are concerned.
“It is more important now that farmers consider cross breeds because if you combine qualities of two kinds, you come up with a better product,” he said.
“It does not help to hold on to breeds which are expensive to maintain unless you have the capacity, and given the drought and the economic situation, not many people have the capacity.”
Breeders of other livestock like goats, pigs and sheep said they are looking at ways to come up with climate resilient breeds.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union director, Mr Paul Zakariya said this year, fewer cattle were brought for exhibition due to diseases and drought, adding that it is a clear sign of the adversities of climate change.
“We could not bring animals because of diseases but we are doing better with those around,” he said.
“Our Hard Mashona does well in our region and country. They are drought tolerant and good quality seeds although they do not grow, so maybe that is where cross breeding comes in.”
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Mr Wonder Chabikwa concurred, saying indigenous breeds are the way to go.
“We encourage indigenous breeds like the Tuli and Mashona,” he said.
“They however have advantages and disadvantages. Exotic breeds are more marketable than indigenous breeds.
“They are small but the advantages is that they can do well with less nutrition, they can survive in harsh and poor conditions.
“So the solution is to come up with cross breeds between indigenous and exotic breeds.”
Meanwhile, farmers have hailed this year’s agricultural show, saying there was a marked improvement in the quality of horticultural products.
They also commended the re-introduction of tobacco exhibition.
