Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South Province has set ambitious targets to boost its cattle herd to around 720 000 by the end of the year and expand irrigated land to 1 500 hectares to guarantee food security. The province currently has approximately 680 000 cattle, while land under irrigation covers 974 hectares.
Presenting the Food and Nutrition Committee report at a Provincial Development Committee (PDC) meeting last week, Mrs Shupikai Sibanda, the provincial director of Agriculture Advisory and Rural Development Services, said efforts are also underway to achieve 90 000 hectares under maize production, 35 000 hectares under sorghum, and 34 000 hectares under pearl millet.
She said that several strategies have been implemented to reach these targets, including the completion of village business units and raising farmer awareness to encourage the adoption of various Government-introduced initiatives to boost the agricultural sector.
“For 2025, we have set targets, one of which is to grow our provincial herd to 721 315. We are also aiming to increase our irrigated land from 974 to 1 500 hectares. For our crops, we are targeting 90 000 hectares under maize production, 35 000 hectares under sorghum, and 34 000 hectares under pearl millet.
“Achieving these targets will be crucial in ensuring food and nutrition security. While the Government will do its part, farmers also need to play theirs. We continue to educate farmers to promote the adoption of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said farmers are also being encouraged to dedicate a plot to growing fodder crops to sustain their livestock. She added that the Artificial Insemination Centre at Matopo Research Centre, with a capacity of 100 000 straws per month, will also help to boost the provincial herd. This comes as the Government continues to urge farmers in dry areas to cultivate small grains to ensure reasonable yields even during dry seasons.
Mrs Sibanda said hay baling is due to start in March, aiming to reach the provincial target of 30 000 bales.
She noted that the province will need a million metric tonnes of feed to support the targeted provincial herd of 721 315.
Strategies implemented by the Government, combined with the improved rainfall received, will help achieve the provincial herd target.
“We have several programmes in place by the Government, which we encourage farmers to embrace and fully utilise to ensure food security in their homes,” Mrs Sibanda said.
“We have the Presidential Input Scheme, which helps ensure farmers have access to inputs. We also have village business units, and we urge benefiting farmers to maximise production.
“Under the Presidential poultry scheme, we are targeting 27 000 households, while 2 100 animals will be targeted under the Presidential goat scheme, and 77 ponds will be targeted under the Presidential community fisheries programme. We are looking to establish at least 10 ponds in each district this year.”
Mrs Sibanda said other strategies to be implemented to boost food security at the household level include silage production, bush meal production, commercial livestock feed production, borehole drilling, surface water harvesting, and the construction of dams and weirs, among others.
