Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE livestock sector in Manicaland is projected to experience a 2,5 percent growth in the 2025/26 season, driven by the Presidential Livestock Schemes, adequate feed and water availability, and investments in breeding, artificial insemination, and restocking by farmers.
The Manicaland provincial director for Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDS), Mr Nhamo Mudada, said cattle numbers are expected to increase by two percent to 664 119 from the current 650 484.
The dairy herd is anticipated to rise from 6 724 to 7 396, resulting in increased milk production, while goat numbers are projected to jump by four percent from 771 765 to 816 602, while sheep numbers are expected to rise from 95 519 to 98 900.
Mr Mudada said livestock in the province is generally in fair to good condition, but warned that prolonged dry spells in south-western areas could lead to pasture and water scarcity, posing a threat to the provincial herd.
“The livestock summer plan builds on the gains of the 2024/25 cropping season, which resulted in good crop yields, improved veld and consequently improved feed for livestock. This livestock summer plan prioritises the critical pillars of nutrition, health and breeding, with focus of enhancing the production of meat, milk and eggs. The plan targets to grow the provincial livestock species (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs) by 2,5 percent in 2026.
“Poultry and egg production are expected to grow by 10 percent. The plan is anchored on the Rural Development 8.0 programming, which includes the Presidential Poultry Scheme, Presidential Household Tick Control and Presidential Goat Scheme.
“The major threats to livestock are water and pasture shortage, increased diseases-induced mortality and panic selling of livestock by communities during time of distress, such a termly school fees and droughts. To mitigate against these, Government has begun a programme to establish 222 Ward Drought Mitigation Centres.
“Overall, livestock condition in the province remains fair to good, with an average body conditions. In general, animals are still in satisfactory condition, though slight variations are noted depending on location. Grazing resources are still available, but their quality is deteriorating particularly in the southern and western parts of the province mostly in semi-arid areas where veld grass is fast declining and may not last beyond the next three months.
“While quantity is holding up in some areas, especially in parts of Mutasa and Nyanga, nutritive value is already low, pointing to potential feed shortages if no interventions are made. Drinking water remains largely adequate and accessible, with most sources within a one to three kilometres radius. This means livestock can still access water without long trekking distances and the situation is stable across the province for now. Under the poultry programme the province received 55 270 chicks to date while under the Presidential Goat Pass On Scheme 2 320 goats were received to date,” said Mr Mudada.
Mr Tonderai Magaya, a commercial cattle rancher, said they have resorted to supplementary feeding to maintain the quality of their stock.
He, however, bemoaned the high cost of the supplementary feed, which he said diminished their return on investment.
“There is now a shortage of pastures and dry grass, the available pastures have no nutritional value to livestock. We have resorted to supplementary feeding since the start of October 2025 for our cattle and goats to remain in perfect condition.
The feeding period usually starts in August, but this year we had late rains and the pastures were still favourable around August.
“Almost every year, we plant five hectares of silage for supplementary feeding and also buy maize from other farmers. The condition of livestock at the moment is a bit dire, as the dry fodder is now limited.
‘‘The cost of supplements is just too much and is pushing the cost of production very high. My herd requires one tonne of maize every two days, and a tonne is going for US$300, and this is straining us,” said Mr Magaya.
