Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
LACK of a business mind-set, poorly defined breeding programmes and widespread in-breeding of communal herd has been cited as major challenges affecting beef production in communal areas, a new agriculture blueprint has indicated.
According to the “The Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy II (AFSRTS 2): Agricultural Value Chains Analysis and Action Plan (2026–2030)”, beef production remains an integral source of livelihoods and contributes significantly to the growth of the agricultural sector, the national economy and to nutrition security.
Beef production contributes between 55 percent and 60 percent of the livestock economy, making it one of the key agricultural value chains.
The report notes that about 90 percent of the national beef herd is in communal areas, with 60 percent of rural households owning cattle. Under the new plan, Government aims to increase the national herd from 5,6 million to 6,6 million by 2030.
Total beef production is projected at 123 000 tonnes for the 2025/26 season, rising to 176 000 tonnes by 2030/31, with the off take rate expected to stabilise at 10 percent.
The beef value chain contributes 4,6 percent of total agricultural gross value, projected to increase to 4,8 percent by 2030/31. However, the report notes major structural challenges in communal production areas.
“The major challenges facing the beef value chain in communal areas is the lack of a business mind-set, poorly defined breeding programmes and production systems, characterised by widespread in-breeding of the communal herd,” the report says.
To address this, the Government plans to introduce elite indigenous breeds and artificial insemination to improve herd quality.
The report also shows the impact of climate change, noting that droughts cause cyclical fluctuations in cattle numbers.
“With climate change, and episodic droughts, the national cattle herd population responds in upward and downward cyclical swings, depending on the severity, extent and duration of the drought,” reads the report.
As part of the response, AFSRTS 2 will promote climate-proofing and feed security, including household feed and fodder production, pasture development, and the popularisation of urea treatment of stover.
Improved herd management, better nutrition and disease control are key focus areas.
“Concurrently, minimising losses due to debilitating diseases will require additional Government support. The focus should be on construction and operationalisation of Ward Drought Mitigation Centres, ensuring that all the 4 009 dip tanks are functional always, and that needed acaricides are procured on time and are available when needed,” the report adds.
The strategy also proposes the establishment of Ward Marketing Centres to improve transparency and fairness in cattle trading.
“Strong grass root farmer organisations are required and strong farmer capacitation will be undertaken. So, distress sales during drought or school fees payment times can be minimised, as the communal herd is managed as a business, rather than just for social standing and prestige,” reads the report.
Reviving the Cold Storage Company (CSC) is seen as key to strengthening the beef marketing system.
“This must be part of the broader objective of resuscitating the Cold Storage Company. The development of innovative cattle insurance schemes, and improved cattle traceability should unlock further value of the national cattle herd.”
The strategy also calls for a new carcass grading system that does not penalise indigenous breeds and reforms to lower marketing costs and reduce multiple levies.
In addition, Government has undertaken to explore livestock-based credit schemes, a livestock development levy and communal commercial grazing systems to enhance breeding, nutrition and disease management.
A new livestock electronic card system will be used to improve tracking and enable faster policy responses.
“A livestock-based credit scheme, a livestock development levy and introduction of communal commercial grazing systems shall be investigated for their efficacy in improving genetics, nutrition and disease management,” reads the report.
“The livestock electronic card system recently employed should enable timeous policy response to grow the livestock sector.”
The report also says that transforming the beef value chain will require shifting from a social to a business approach, ensuring communal farmers view cattle as a commercial enterprise contributing to rural development and national economic growth.
“Beef production remains an integral source of livelihoods and contributes significantly to the growth of the agricultural sector, the national economy, and to nutrition security.
“The value chain has the potential to substantially contribute to economic growth and sustainable development. Beef production contributes between 55 percent to 60 percent of livestock GDP,” reads the report.
“About 90 percent of the beef cattle herd is in communal areas, with 60 percent of rural households owning cattle.
The AFSRTS 2 thrust is to increase the national herd from 5,6 million to 6,6 million by 2030.
“The total beef production for the 2025/26 season is projected at 123 000MT, with a forecast of producing 176 000Mt of beef by the 2030/31 season.
“The offtake rate is expected to stabilise at 10 percent. The beef value chain contribution at inception of AFSRTS 2 is 4,6 percent of total Agriculture Gross Value and is projected to contribute 4,8 percent of total Agriculture Gross Value by 2030/31 season,” reads the document.
“The introduction of elite indigenous breeds/bulls, and artificial insemination will be prioritised in communal areas. With climate change, and episodic droughts, the national cattle herd population responds in upward and downward cyclical swings, depending on the severity/extent and duration of the drought.”
This necessitates investments in climate-proofing, and mitigation activities. Household feed and fodder production, and production of pastures, should also be prioritised in communal areas, as well as urea treatment of stover.
Better herd management is also expected to improve cattle condition and increase conception rates while simultaneously increasing calving rates.
This will be enhanced by the development of vibrant Ward Marketing Centres to increase fairness, transparency, trust and strengthen the beef value chain.
These must are set to be part of the broader objective of resuscitating the Cold Storage Company alongside the development of innovative cattle insurance schemes, and improved cattle traceability to unlock further value of the national cattle herd.
“The ease of doing business reforms should include lowering marketing and transaction costs and reduction of multiple levies.
“A livestock-based credit scheme, a livestock development levy and introduction of communal commercial grazing systems shall be investigated for their efficacy in improving genetics, nutrition and disease management,” reads the report.
