Bull programme bears fruit

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
LIVESTOCK farmers in Masvingo have embraced the bull project initiated by private abattoirs for indigenous farmers in the province.
Masvingo Beef Producers Association (MBPA) chairperson Robert Makado said the project was bearing fruit as it had improved the quality of indigenous beasts.

He said the project was initiated by abattoirs comprising Carsewel Meats and Somerton and had seen an improved breed of cattle.

“We are grateful to private abattoirs for assisting us in improving the quality of our animals. A number of farmers have benefited from a bull project introduced by Carsewell Meats,” said Makado.

“As indigenous farmers we were given three bulls and the bulls have mated with 83 cows. We have tested all to check whether they have conceived and a large number tested positive.”

“The bulls are of a better breed and will add value to the quality of our cattle. This is a highly acceptable project that is coming from well-wishers for free and we hope a number of farmers, both A1 and subsistence farmers will benefit. The project has also gone a long way in improving the market share of our cattle.”

Makado also called on government to consider the resuscitation of the Cold Storage Commission (CSC) as one of its top priorities.

He said once CSC was resuscitated, livestock farmers would not be exploited by private players who do not offer competitive prices.

“It is a pity for indigenous farmers because we have to accept prices that abattoirs offer. There is no competition given the demise of CSC. You find that there is no facility provided by the parastatal to promote our cause, something must be done to address the company’s challenges,” Makado said.

Addressing farmers in the province recently, Agriculture Deputy Minister responsible for Livestock, Paddy Zhanda, said the government had budgeted $20 million specifically for the resuscitation of CSC.

However, with the country still hamstrung by a liquidity crunch, efforts to revamp operations at the company are proving to be difficult.