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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MINISTER of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe has urged livestock farmers to improve the quality of their animals while expanding their herds, as Government accelerates plans to rebuild the national herd in line with the country’s agricultural growth recovery plan.
Minister Nguluvhe said as the province aligns its programmes with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), growing and modernising the agricultural sector — one of Zimbabwe’s key economic drivers — must remain a priority.
Speaking during a Matabeleland South business breakfast meeting in Gwanda recently, Minister Nguluvhe said productivity in the livestock sector is measured by value per head rather than numbers alone.
“Agriculture is one of the country’s key economic growth drivers. Matabeleland South is the ranching capital of Zimbabwe. However, productivity is measured by the value per head, not just the number of cattle. The current budget focuses on climate-proofing through resource allocation towards dam construction and the Presidential Solarisation Programme.
“We must invest in climate-smart fodder production. We must move towards local canning and leather processing. With the 2026 National Budget emphasis on drought-mitigation, the Government is incentivising private-sector irrigation schemes. Let’s turn our dry province into a year-round feeding lot,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe also urged livestock farmers to embrace risk mitigation mechanisms put in place to safeguard the provincial herd against climate shocks. He said Matabeleland South, being drought-prone, required farmers to take proactive steps to protect their livestock.
“We have officially transitioned into the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) 2026-2030. For decades, Matabeleland South has been described as a province of immense potential. But potential is a dormant word.
“Potential cannot pay salaries, it cannot usher development and it cannot improve livelihoods. You cannot build schools, clinics, roads, and hospitals with potential. In 2026, our mandate is to transform that potential into productive output. We are shifting from being a province that has resources to a province that processes them,” he said.
Matabeleland South provincial Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services director Mrs Shupikai Sibanda said farmers were being empowered to improve herd quality through breed selection, disease management, nutrition, genetic enhancement, market access and financing.
“Under breed selection, focus is on developing drought-tolerant livestock breeds through climate-smart breeding strategies to build resilience against dry conditions. Matabeleland South is mainly region 4 and 5 and drought-prone.
Hardy breeds are encouraged. In disease management, farmers must vaccinate their animals against diseases like lumpy skin disease, and tick-borne diseases.
“Regular dipping of cattle and enhanced disease surveillance can also help. Our region has been vulnerable of these diseases and farmers are being encouraged not to wait for Government intervention,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda added that farmers should prioritise animal nutrition. She said establishing household feed and fodder banks was critical. Farmers, she noted, had adopted urea-treated stover and the planting of legumes to boost feed supplies.
Mrs Sibanda also urged farmers to focus on genetic improvement by investing in quality breeding stock and proper animal care.
“As ARDAS, we have rolled out initiatives to equip farmers with skills to improve production and care for their livestock. We are also facilitating domestic and international market access for beef products.
“Through our agricultural business advisors, we are also providing technical assistance and training to farmers. The farmers are also getting financial support.
“Government has also put in place and is implementing policies to promote sustainable farming practices, improve animal health and increase access to quality feed and water,” she said.
Government is accelerating efforts to grow the national herd to six million by 2026 under the agricultural growth recovery plan, with the aim of meeting domestic demand for meat and dairy and resuming exports. This requires both herd expansion and minimising losses due to disease.
The herd currently stands at 5,5 million. Interventions include artificial insemination using semen from select high-quality bulls and expanded vaccination programmes.
In 2020, Government approved the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan (2021–2026), designed to tackle production constraints and lay a solid foundation for livestock-driven industrial development. The plan aims to increase production and productivity, strengthen animal health systems and enhance disease surveillance.
Government crafted the blueprint in response to poor livestock sector performance linked to animal health gaps, feed shortages, inadequate infrastructure and limited access to lucrative markets. These challenges contributed to low off-take, high mortality, low fertility, reduced carcass weights and an inability to compete internationally.
The overall goal is to reduce livestock mortality and create more resilient production systems better suited to the recurrent droughts triggered by climate change.
Climate change has brought numerous difficulties, including a rise in animal disease outbreaks, frequent droughts and occasional floods.
Online Reporter