Matabeleland North pivots to dairy, province targets value‑chain growth

MATABELELAND North Province is deliberately diversifying its livestock production systems to unlock value in the dairy sector as part of a wider agricultural transformation drive, Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo has said.

Speaking at the official opening of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) Regional Conference in Victoria Falls on Wednesday, Minister Moyo said the province, long regarded as a bastion of beef production, was now intentionally expanding its focus to position dairy farming as a critical engine for growth.

“Traditionally, our province has been a stronghold of beef production. However, we are deliberately shifting towards diversification, with dairy production identified as a key growth sector,” said Minister Moyo.

The two day conference is running under the theme “Driving Dairy Competitiveness and Sustainability in Africa and Beyond”, an agenda Minister Moyo said dovetails with Zimbabwe’s national priorities of agricultural modernisation, rural industrialisation and sustainable economic development.

He said the provincial strategy is anchored on targeted interventions that are laying a solid foundation for a competitive and climate resilient dairy industry. These include irrigation development, improved pasture management, enhancement of livestock genetics and sustained investment in farmer training.

“Through targeted interventions such as irrigation development, pasture improvement, livestock genetics enhancement and farmer capacity building we are laying the groundwork for a competitive and climate resilient dairy industry within the province,” he said.

Minister Moyo said the timing of the conference was particularly significant, as the region continues to contend with climate change, escalating production costs and shifting market dynamics that demand greater efficiency and sustainability from agricultural systems.

“For regions such as ours, characterised by variable rainfall and periodic droughts, the adoption of climate-smart dairy systems is not merely an option it is an urgent necessity. We, therefore, welcome the emphasis of this conference on sustainability and resilience,” he said.

While Matabeleland North is internationally recognised for its tourism landmarks, including the Victoria Falls, Minister Moyo said the province also boasts vast agricultural land and substantial livestock resources that present enormous opportunities for value chain development.

He said consistent with the Government’s decentralisation and devolution policy thrust, the province is actively harnessing this potential to ensure inclusive growth and that rural communities are not marginalised from economic opportunities.

“We are open to investment, innovation, and collaboration that will accelerate the growth of the dairy sector. We are committed, to creating an enabling environment that supports ease of doing business, infrastructure development and inclusive participation,” he said.

Minister Moyo also commended the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the International Dairy Federation and the Zimbabwe Dairy Industry Trust for convening the conference, saying the initiative reflected collective commitment to strengthening agricultural excellence and regional cooperation.