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Elton Manguwo and Edgar Vhera
THE Government is operationalising the Livestock Recovery Growth Plan with the short-term target of increasing the country’s herd from the current 5,5 million to 6 million by 2023, as the thrust to meet national demand and curtail imports gathers steam.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary, Dr John Basera revealed this at the 54th edition of the annual National Breed Sale at CC Sales in Mt Hampden Harare recently.
One of the bulls for sale
A total of 74 bulls were for sale, 50 percent of which were of the Brahman breed. Under the heifers’ category, a total of 63 animals were up for sale with Brahmans constituting 67 percent of the lot. Three goats completed the livestock units on offer.
Dr Basera stressed that the programme was focused on the need to grow the livestock sector through improving the genetic make-up of animals for better breeds. He also stressed the need to reduce in-breeding, which affects the beast size, resulting in the production of animals with poor stature depriving the herd of a competitive value.
Dr Basera also explained that it was critical to improve animal health adding that reducing mortality rate was the key to accumulation and growth of the livestock herd.
As such, the Government has introduced the Presidential blitz tick grease programme, which was targeting one million households.
Under the programme, tick grease is distributed to each household to curb tick bone related diseases amid the scourge of the January disease (Theileriosis).
Further to securing the country’s herd, the Government has initiated the Dip Resuscitation Programme in pursue of improving basic dip tank infrastructure in the country.
“Currently, we have over 2 900 dip tanks, which are now functional and we intend to put up 1 000 more to be functioning by the year 2023 because we believe that is the most sustainable way of containing January and other tick bone related diseases,” observed Dr Basera, as he stressed the need for a strict dipping regiment.
The Zimbabwe Herd Book saw the number of pedigree breeders increase by 27 percent to reach 204 as of July 2022 while the total registered animals increased by 23 percent to 23 210.
This is a culmination of Government support through various programmes such as the Presidential Youth Heifer Scheme under which 698 heifers were delivered to various farmers and the Presidential Bull Scheme as well as other private sector led initiatives.
The Government in its bid to increase the growth of the national head count has intervened to alleviate the impact of climate change, which manifested itself through poverty deaths of a sizeable number of livestock.
In order to address and avert poverty deaths the Government invested in the Presidential forage programme.
“Under the programme, a standard input package comprising climate smart pasture and feed options was distributed to farmers to promote on farm feed formulations. Climate change is indeed a reality and the livestock sub-space needs to adapt or else it will not grow,” said Dr Basera.
In order to improve the national head count, Dr Bhasera emphasised the need to make the cattle industry attractive to farmers. This can be done by re-modelling the cattle sale marketing auction system so that smallholder farmers can realise and unlock real value from their cattle and also by making cattle a bankable capital asset.
Moreso, the private sector working hand in glove with the Government has applauded the efforts being made in creating a sustainable business environment.
National Foods Limited key accounts manager, Mr Fast Muronda had this to say: “We would love to commend the efforts and strides the Government has made in creating a level playing field and we shall continuously engage with it on various other projects.”
Online Reporter