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Business Correspondent
FARMERS in Matabeleland South Province are receiving training on feedlot management in order to improve their livestock production capacity.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Farmers Trust Alliance (ZFTA) livestock division national chairperson Mr Clement Malaba said the training started on Friday in Mangwe District.
“There is an ongoing training on feedlot management in all parts of the province which have established feedlots. The training was organised by farmers’ associations and is being facilitated by AgriFoods.
“The first training was held in some parts of Mangwe on Friday and it will also be held in Insiza, Gwanda, Bulilima, Matobo and Beitbridge Districts as those are the other areas where feedlots have been established,” said Mr Malaba.
He said the training would help to boost the province’s livestock production capacity.
“We approached AgriFoods which is our supplier of stock feed and requested that they teach farmers on how to properly manage their livestock by putting particular interest on the feed they give to animals and the environment they expose their animals to.
“The purpose of this training is to ensure that we maximise our livestock production levels. There is no need for the province to be recording high livestock deaths when feedlots have been introduced as a solution for shortage of grazing land,” said Mr Malaba.
Mangwe Farmers Association chairperson Mr Adam Bango said nine wards had feedlots in the district and representatives from six wards had been trained on Friday.
“A management team of about 10 people was selected to represent each ward in the training programme. Six wards were trained on Friday and the remaining three will be trained during the course of the week.
“We have trained more than 60 farmers so far since this programme started,” said Mr Bango.
Secretary for Mangwe Farmers Association, Mr Godfrey Ndlovu said during the training farmers were capacitated on proper management of a breeding herd.
“Farmers were taught about vaccination programmes, supplementary feeding and nutrition for livestock. The training also sought to cultivate a vibrant dipping culture among farmers.
“In this way we want to ensure that farmers are well educated so they can make informed decisions. If their animals are properly managed then hopefully a farmer can get a calf from each cow every year which will increase production,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said increased production would help farmers when marketing their livestock.
“The knowledge that we are imparting seeks to ensure that farmers produce healthy animals. In this way they will be able to properly market their livestock and they will make good profits and expand their operations.
“Through this training we hope to record a drop in the tick-borne disease which is the major killer of livestock as well as other diseases,” he said.
Online Reporter