Chronicle Editor
RAYMOND JARAVAZA , [email protected]
THE Indonesian government has donated 1 000 straws of genetics to farmers in Zimbabwe as part of efforts to boost the country’s national herd.
The genetics are of five pedigree breeds – Simmental, Brahman, Angus, Holstein and Limousin.
Presenting part of the genetics to renowned cattle breeder, Mr Obert Chinhamo, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Zimbabwe and Zambia, Dewa Made Sastrawan, said the donation is a sign of growing bilateral relations between the two countries in the area of food security.
Mr Chinhamo is an established Simmental and Simbrah pedigree cattle breeder who runs a thriving farm in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province.
A team of agricultural experts travelling with the Indonesian Ambassador performed an Artificial Insemination procedure on one of Mr Chinhamo’s heifers.
Pedigree farmers across the country will benefit from the genetics donation that is expected to widen the pool of genetics in the country.
Mr Chinhamo said Indonesian genetics will augment the pool of genetics that is already in the country.
“By cross-breeding our local pedigree cattle with the new genetics from Indonesia, the country’s national herd will benefit both the beef and milk production sectors,” said Mr Chinhamo.
derick.khumalo