Farmers to benefit from livestock scheme

Emilia Zindi – Agriculture Editor
Hundreds of communal farmers are set to benefit from a Government-private sector livestock scheme that will see an improvement in the quality of cattle herds countrywide as well as grow the national herd in line with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.

Zim-Asset mandates Government to come up with programmes that would see land reform beneficiaries venturing into livestock production as well as restocking the national herd.

The schemes should lead to farmers engaging in cattle breeding and setting up multiplication centres.
The target is to boost beef production from the current 200 000 tonnes per annum to 400 000 tonnes, with the country exporting to the region and globally.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Paddy Zhanda, who launched the Government-private sector partnership scheme in Goromonzi recently, said the nation would reap the fruits of Zim-Asset through such initiatives.

“We have spoken a lot on the Zim-Asset blueprint and, believe me, people now want to see tangible results. As Government, people expect to feel the policies we come up with them.

“This is why today we are launching this cattle-breeding scheme where farmers are set to breed their cattle so as to improve on the quality of herd compared to what we have now,” he said at Nyamasanga dip-tank in Chinyika Village, Goromonzi.

Under the scheme, farmers got eight pedigree bulls donated by Binder Abattoir, which they are to use to cross-breed with their heifers to produce a better quality herd.

The bulls were handed over to selected farmers but should be made available to service any villager’s heifer under supervision.
Binder Abattoir will in turn buy cattle from the community so that they do not struggle to access markets.

Deputy Minister Zhanda said livestock had not been taken as a serious venture for years, prompting Government to come up with two deputy ministers in the Agriculture Ministry, with one specifically tasked to look into that area.

He said if well managed, the programme would in two years result in nearly every farmer in the area having a quality herd.
Binder Abbatoir’s Mr Jamie Nel said it had been proven that pedigree Braham bulls cross-bred with indigenous cattle, resulting in an increase in size of animals as well as boosting disease resistance.

Mr Nel said it was the responsibility of private abattoirs to support cattle production as this would ensure a steady supply of meat and improve the incomes of farmers.

“We saw it fit to join hands with Government by donating these bulls to the local farmers who are expected to breed their cattle so that they increase on the size of the animals which would fetch better prices when selling.

“We are expected to buy the animals from the same farmers whereby they will bring their animals to us or just call us (and) we come with our scales to weigh the animals and pay the farmers cash on the spot,’’ said Mr Nel.
He said the programme would spread to other parts of the country from Mashonaland

East where 14 bulls have so far been given out: eight in Chikwaka, Goromonzi and six in Kaseke.