The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
THE European Union (EU)-funded Value Chain Alliance for Livestock Upgrading and Empowerment (VALUE) project will officially open the Rushinga Goat Improvement Centre (GIC) on November 10.
The centre, which was completed in December 2020, is a primary business hub for small and medium goat producers.
It was constructed at a cost of US$24 000.
It offers services such as breed improvement, dipping, veterinary drug sales, sale of fodder seed and the aggregation of bulk slaughter stock.
VALUE project team leader Mr Newton Chari said the opening of the centre will pave way for commercial goat production in the area.
“Our objective is to increase production, productivity, market competitiveness and organisational efficiencies of small-to-medium producers. Thus far, we have found the Goat Improvement Centres as hubs necessary to contribute to our objective, which will ultimately lead to the commercialisation agenda,” he said.
“Importantly, these centres are providing platforms for engagements with key stakeholders for the creation of conducive business environments in the districts.”
The project has constructed similar centres in 11 other districts, among them Beitbridge, Binga, Buhera, Chikomba and Chipinge.
The VALUE project is part of an EU-funded Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP), a response to tackle challenges within the country’s livestock sector through financial support from the EU amounting to €40 million.
