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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE beef value chain is set to undergo a major transformation in Mayo area of Makoni District, thanks to the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme — Beef Enterprise Strengthening and Transformation (ZAGP-BEST) project which will see farmers receiving financial and material support.
ZAPG-BEST, a co-creation of the Government and European Union is an initiative meant to support the small-to-medium scale beef cattle producers in Zimbabwe.
Speaking during the official launch of project in Mayo last week on Thursday, Makoni District Development Coordinator, Mr Edward Mashindi who was represented by the administration assistant in his office, Mr Past-tense Tarondwa said: “Farmers in Makoni need to take advantage of this project to improve their incomes from cattle production.
“I am told that when the Cattle Business Centre becomes fully functional, farmers will be able to access stock feed, veterinary drugs, finance loans, training, mating services and more importantly marketing of their cattle to viable and lucrative markets.
“The launch of Mayo Cattle Business Centre comes at the right time after the good rains we received during the 2020/21 summer seasons as our livestock had enough pastures.
“In the previous years, we lost a lot of cattle, particularly breeding stock.
“We are therefore thankful that this ZAGP project will provide bulls and heifers as part of a herd-building and breed improvement initiative.”
Mr Mark Benzon, the BEST team leader, said: “I want to urge farmers around this area, and those in areas feeding into this CBC to take this initiative seriously. They should take advantage of this project to boost their business.
“There is also need to ensure that this project is well maintained for it to remain productive and useful to farmers for a long time to come.”
The CBC comprises of two major components, 120-herd holding pens and a hectare fodder demonstration plot.
It is situated in Village 22 of Ward 35, under Chief Chikore’s area.
The main Mayo CBC is located in Makoni North and it is supported by five satellite CBCs.
The satellite CBCs are within a 60km radius from the main CBC.
These include Chiendambuya, Nyamazira, Chikore, Tanda and Chanza.
There is an additional satellite CBC located in Makoni South which also feeds into the Mayo CBC. The project is being done in collaboration with Makoni World Vision Area Programme (KushingaZvapungu CBC).
The CBC provides services to the Mayo community and the surrounding areas through provision of competitive input and output markets, and will also serve as a hub where farmers access composite beef value chain services such as fodder production, bulling services, pluralistic extension services, cattle handling facilities, clean drinking water for cattle as well as for domestic use.
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