Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa in Matabeleland South
GOVERNMENT officials, livestock experts and ranch managers who converged at Shangani Holistic Ranch have underscored the critical role of indigenous cattle breeds in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s food security and building resilience against climate change.
The stakeholders highlighted the importance of promoting local breeds such as the Mashona cattle, Nguni cattle, Tuli cattle and Nkone cattle, noting that they are better adapted to local environmental conditions, more resistant to diseases and capable of sustaining rural livelihoods.
Participants at the meeting said climate change, recurring droughts and disease outbreaks have increasingly exposed the limitations of some exotic breeds, while indigenous cattle have continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience under harsh conditions.
Speaking during a ranch tour, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Deputy Minister Davies Marapira emphasised the urgency of protecting Indigenous breeds as a national strategy.
He said indigenous cattle are drought‑resilient, disease‑resistant, and healthier for consumers compared to exotic breeds.
“We have been having droughts from as early as 1900, but our Indigenous breeds managed to survive within the drought situations,” he said.
“Let’s go Indigenous, that will reduce pressure even on our health, and we will live better than if we focus on exotic breeds and feeds.”
Livestock and Fisheries Production Department director Mr Milton Makumbe explained the climate‑smart technologies behind Indigenous cattle promotion.
He said repopulating Zimbabwe with Indigenous breeds boosts fertility, strengthens crop‑livestock integration, and sustains beef production.
“These cattle are very resilient, strong animals with high fertility, well-suited for our land.
“We are trying to ensure that the baseline for our cattle production should be based on the foundation of our Indigenous species,” he said.
Protecting and repopulating these breeds is not only an agricultural priority but also a cultural and economic lifeline for Zimbabwean communities.
Shangani Holistic Range Resident director Mr Max Makuvisa emphasised the heritage and export potential of Indigenous breeds.
He said indigenous cattle are uniquely Zimbabwean, hardy, and produce meat that can distinguish the country in global markets.
“They have been thousands of years in the making, well-adapted to Zimbabwe’s conditions.”
Shangani Holistic Range Breeding Officer Miss Thabile Ndhlovu highlighted the sustainable development pillars embodied by Indigenous cattle.
“These animals have always formed a huge part of our culture as a people, holding cultural intensity in our lives,” she said.
“They utilise poor-quality forage and convert it into high‑quality grass‑fed beef, cutting down costs and improving health outcomes.”
