Online Reporter
Marilyn Mutize
The Livestock Conference being held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo has once again placed the spotlight on the critical role that the livestock sector plays in the growth of Zimbabwe’s agriculture and the overall economy.
As the country continues to pursue agricultural transformation in line with national development goals, the discussions around livestock production, genetics improvement, animal health, and value chain development serve as a reminder that livestock remains one of the most reliable pillars for rural livelihoods and food security.
Livestock production is more than the rearing of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry. It is a source of income for thousands of households, a store of wealth in rural communities, and an important contributor to national food supply.
For many families, livestock provides school fees, medical expenses and daily household needs. Because of this, any serious plan to grow the agricultural sector must place livestock at the centre of development strategies.
One of the key issues that continues to emerge whenever stakeholders meet to discuss livestock development is the need to improve the quality of animals through better genetics.
For many years, low productivity has been linked to poor breeds, inbreeding, and limited access to modern breeding technologies.
The growing emphasis on artificial insemination and controlled breeding programmes therefore represents an important step towards building stronger and more productive herds.
Improved genetics can help farmers produce animals that grow faster, resist diseases, and yield more meat or milk. This does not only benefit individual farmers, but also strengthens the entire livestock value chain.
When productivity increases, processors receive more raw materials, traders have more products to sell, and the country reduces the need to import livestock products. In the long run, this contributes to national economic stability.
However, improving genetics alone will not be enough if other challenges affecting the livestock sector are not addressed at the same time.
One of the biggest threats to livestock production has always been disease outbreaks. Tick-borne diseases, foot-and-mouth disease, and other infections have in the past caused heavy losses to farmers, sometimes wiping out entire herds. This makes veterinary services a critical component of livestock development.
Farmers require reliable dipping programmes, regular vaccination campaigns, and easy access to veterinary extension services.
Without these, even the best breeding programmes will not produce the desired results. Strengthening animal health systems must therefore remain a priority if the country is to achieve sustainable growth in livestock production.
Another important issue that deserves attention is the need to develop strong livestock value chains. Increasing the number of animals without improving marketing systems will not bring the expected benefits to farmers.
Many producers still struggle to find fair markets for their cattle, milk, or other livestock products. In some cases, farmers are forced to sell at low prices because they have no access to proper auction systems, cold storage facilities, or processing plants.
Developing value chains means investing in infrastructure, supporting private sector participation, and ensuring that farmers are connected to reliable markets.
When value chains function properly, livestock production becomes a profitable business rather than a survival activity. This is the kind of transformation that the agricultural sector needs if it is to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The participation of young people in livestock production is another issue that cannot be ignored. For a long time, agriculture has been viewed by many youths as an occupation for older generations. Yet livestock farming has the potential to provide stable income and long-term opportunities if young farmers are given the right support.
Training programmes, access to finance, and exposure to modern technologies can encourage more youths to take livestock production seriously.
Youth involvement is important not only for labour, but also for innovation. Younger farmers are often more willing to adopt new ideas such as artificial insemination, digital record keeping, and improved feeding systems.
Their participation can help modernise the sector and make it more competitive. The role of cooperation among stakeholders also remains essential. Government, farmers’ unions, research institutions, and the private sector all have responsibilities in developing the livestock industry.
No single institution can achieve meaningful change on its own. Progress will depend on coordination, clear policies, and consistent support for farmers on the ground.
Zimbabwe has the natural resources required to build a strong livestock industry. The country has grazing land, experienced farmers, and growing demand for meat and dairy products both locally and in the region.
What is required is sustained commitment to the programmes and ideas that continue to be discussed whenever stakeholders gather to review the state of the sector.
If the momentum created by continued engagement on livestock development is maintained, the sector can become one of the strongest drivers of rural incomes and agricultural growth.
Livestock has always been part of the country’s economic and cultural life, and with the right support, it can play an even greater role in the future.
The challenge now is to ensure that the discussions around livestock development translate into real improvements on farms and in rural communities.
When farmers see better breeds, stronger veterinary support, reliable markets, and greater opportunities for young people, confidence in the sector will grow. That confidence is what will ultimately determine whether the livestock industry reaches its full potential.
