Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
FOOD security, peace and stability are the cornerstones of the flourishing bilateral relations between the governments of Zimbabwe and Nicaragua.
Farmers from both countries are set to benefit from co-operation in the agricultural sector, aimed at boosting beef, milk and tobacco production for the prosperity of both states.
Nicaragua is the biggest country in Central America and the gateway to several countries in that region and by virtue of being a member of several regional economic communities, positions the country to be a vital trading partner with Zimbabwe in the agricultural sector, the country’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Nadeska Cuthberth Carlson, said.
She was speaking during a visit at Biano Farm, run by renowned Simmentals pedigree cattle breeder Mr Obert Chinhamo in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province, on Thursday.
Amb Carlson and her delegation wanted to see first-hand the production process of one of the most versatile cattle breeds, renowned for their dual purpose nature of excelling in both milk and beef production.
She noted that the historical backgrounds of both Zimbabwe and Nicaragua as young democracies that fought for the freedom of their people against oppression brings the two countries together in the struggle for peace, stability and food security.
“We are the biggest land country in Central America with a population of 6,7 million people and agriculture is one of the biggest industries in Nicaragua supported by mining and tourism,” said Amb Carlson.
“This year, Nicaragua will be celebrating 46 years of revolution while Zimbabwe will be celebrating 45 years of Independence from British colonial rule and the history of the two countries for the attainment of freedom is something that joins the two nations.”
She said Nicaragua’s agricultural sector has over the past 18 years grown to contribute 14 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic (GDP) in primary food and animal production, related exports, as well as numerous agro industry activities.
“Between 2006 and 2023, the agricultural sector increased its production by 112 percent,” she said.
Nicaragua has a herd of 5,8 million cattle with an average extraction rate of 13 percent annually for slaughter and live export, which Amb Carlson said, allows for sustained growth in production of the livestock sector.
In 2023, the country slaughtered 762 994 cattle with a yield of 152 223 tonnes of beef.
“National milk production reached 374 million gallons with 183 million collected and processed for export.
“Our egg production totalled 85 million dozen eggs, from both farms and rural households, while our in the pork production sector 294 361 animals were slaughtered, giving us a yield of 14 874 tonnes of pork,” she said.
In comparison, Zimbabwe has a national herd of over 5,5 million cattle and imports the bulk of its milk from other countries and the country stands to benefit from the lessons and experiences of Nicaragua in the agricultural sector, said Mr Chinhamo.
“As farmers, we certainly have a lot to gain when we collaborate with our counterparts from Nicaragua because the cattle numbers that they have in their country are almost the same as what we have here, so we have so much to learn from one another,” he said.
“It’s, however, worth noting that despite the almost same number of cattle in the two countries, farmers in Nicagarua slaughter more than us for prime export markets such as the United States, Europe and other South American countries,” said Mr Chinhamo.
He said local farmers have to improve the genetics of their breeds to make Zimbabwe beef export attractive to big markets that consume huge quantities of quality beef.
“We can tap into their knowledge of cattle genetics. In Zimbabwe the bulk of our national herd is in the hands of communal farmers and that’s where our Government needs to invest in to improve our cattle genetics,” said Mr Chinhamo.
“The Ambassador mentioned that programmes to link local farmers with their counterparts from Nicaragua will be availed and I think the impetus is on us to learn as much as we can from the South Americans, to improve the quality of our herds and genetics.”
Amb Carlson said Zimbabwe and her country have historical lessons to learn from one another such as poverty reduction and energising the two nations’ trade and markets.
“Nicaragua embarked on a development model called the ‘Government of Reconciliation and National Unity’ that is focused on reducing poverty and inequality, as well as progressively improving the living conditions of all our citizens,” she said.
“Within this model, the productive sector plays a fundamental role in economic stability, food security, and improving the incomes of producing families. This aligns with the policies of the National Plan for the Fight Against Poverty and for Human Development 2022-2026,”
The country also produces Arabica coffee, tobacco, cocoa, peanuts, sesame, musa crops (plantains and bananas), rice, corn and beans.
In July 2024, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga visited Nicaragua during the country’s 45th Sandinista Anniversary (national independence) and held a meeting with Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega, where they sought mutual benefits and economic collaboration for the two countries.
After the meeting, President Ortega directed seven ministries in the economic cluster to step up co-operation with Zimbabwe for mutual benefit.
