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Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made has urged smallholder farmers to engage other stakeholders to acquire better knowledge to enhance production. Minister Made said it was important to anchor knowledge and capacity on financial support for farmers to realise the policy of goat production for food and nutrition.
He was speaking during a meeting with goat breeders in Harare on Monday.
“Small stock farmers must engage other stakeholders and not only wait for the ministry as it is still battling from the poor funding by the former finance minister, Tendai Biti, who derailed the agriculture sector,” said Minister Made.
Goat Breeders’ Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Crispen Kadiramwando said goat production has potential to generate income and guarantee food security but lack of adequate funding, poor infrastructure and insufficient information was hindering production.
“We are supplying at least 20 000 goats to the market every month but still we are not meeting the demand,” said Mr Kadiramwando.
“There is need for the Government to assist small stock farmers with funding to increase the production.”
Mr Kadiramwando said of the 20 000 goats that are slaughtered every month for the market, the demand still remains high.
He added that with the population of 3,1 million goats in the country, if the industry gets enough funds from the Government it would go a long way in alleviating poverty and hunger in many parts of the country not sparing rural communities thus serving as an important component in household livelihoods.
Goats are increasingly used to augment cash income and enhance food security.
They serve as an important component in households’ livelihood strategies, particularly in drought-prone areas.
While much has been done to improve agricultural production in the small-scale sector, little is known and documented about the current state of goat production and marketing in the communal areas of Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter