Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
SCIENTIFIC research is driving a new phase of climate-smart dairy farming in drought-prone Mudzi District, where women-led dairy enterprises are adopting spineless cactus as a sustainable livestock feed to cushion their herds against recurrent dry spells.
Agricultural researchers from the Matopos and Makoholi Research Institutes have completed a technical assessment and capacity-building mission at the Sajeni and Chaku Women Dairy Business Hubs under the Mombe YaAmai (Mother’s Cow) project, with preliminary findings showing a 95 percent germination rate for spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica), a drought-tolerant fodder crop capable of providing livestock with both feed and moisture throughout the dry season.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen climate adaptation among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe’s natural regions prone to erratic rainfall.
The technical mission focused on evaluating the performance of cactus plots established about a year ago using planting material supplied by the Matopos Research Institute while equipping farmers with improved agronomic skills, including correct plant spacing, soil fertility management, weed control and scientific monitoring of biomass production.
The intervention builds on the Mombe YaAmai project, which was launched to empower women through dairy production and climate-smart livestock enterprises in Mudzi District, where two women-led dairy business hubs have been established as demonstration and learning centres.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen climate adaptation among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe’s natural regions prone to erratic rainfall.
Senior Research Officer at the Matopos Research Institute, Mr Obey Daga, said the excellent establishment rate demonstrated the willingness of farmers to adopt research-driven technologies capable of improving livestock productivity despite increasingly harsh climatic conditions.
“The level of commitment shown by the farmers at Sajeni and Chaku hubs is truly exemplary. Their strict adherence to the best cactus production and management practices we introduced has resulted in a phenomenal 95 percent germination rate. This dedication is a game-changer because it guarantees the long-term health of the fodder plots while providing highly nutritious, moisture-rich supplementary feed that will sustain dairy cattle during the most challenging dry seasons,” he said.
Matopos Research Institute has been leading national research into spineless cactus as an alternative livestock feed, characterising several varieties suitable for Zimbabwe’s dry regions and working with research stations and farming communities to scale up adoption as part of climate-smart agriculture programmes.
Christian Aid Southern Africa Climate Adaptation and Resilience Lead Mr Pepukai Muchazondida Svinurai said the collaboration demonstrated how scientific research could be translated into practical solutions that directly benefit rural communities.
“What we are witnessing in Mudzi is a model for scalable climate adaptation. By combining scientific research with community-led action, we are equipping smallholder farmers with practical tools that help them withstand recurring droughts. This partnership ensures that climate resilience moves beyond theory and delivers sustainable business opportunities for women while strengthening household food and nutrition security,” he said.
Christian Aid Southern Africa Programmes and Partnerships Lead Ms Aulline Chapisa said strategic partnerships between research institutions, development organisations and farming communities were critical in accelerating rural economic transformation.
“Development becomes meaningful when scientific knowledge responds directly to the needs of vulnerable communities. The collaboration between the Mombe YaAmai project, Matopos and Makoholi Research Institutes is strengthening women-led enterprises, promoting gender equality and creating resilient agricultural value chains capable of withstanding climate shocks,” she said.
Nyahunure Community Organisation coordinator Mr Francis Pawandiwa said the research support had boosted confidence among participating farmers, who had long struggled with declining pasture during prolonged dry seasons.
“For many years, drought meant poor grazing, reduced milk production and economic losses for our farmers. The technical guidance provided by the research teams has bridged the gap between national agricultural research and local farming practices. Our women now have greater confidence that they can maintain productive dairy enterprises throughout the year,” he said.
Researchers said the partnership would continue beyond the field assessments through regular digital monitoring of cactus performance and biomass production using mobile communication platforms to enable continuous technical support for participating farmers.
The research institutions are also preparing bilingual technical training manuals in English and Shona alongside a policy brief containing recommendations for expanding spineless cactus production among smallholder livestock farmers across Zimbabwe.
The initiative comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture under the National Development Strategy 1 and national climate resilience programmes, with drought-tolerant livestock feed technologies increasingly viewed as critical to safeguarding agricultural production against the effects of climate change.
Spineless cactus has emerged as one of the country’s promising alternative fodder crops because of its ability to thrive under low rainfall conditions while supplying both moisture and nutrients to livestock.
