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to produce high-quality calves as part of the restocking of the national herd.
The programme, which was launched at Dombwe Business Centre in Musengezi, is part of efforts by Zanu-PF to enhance the national herd and will spread to other parts of the country. Mackeral Cattle Company, a firm specialising in beef production, will work with farmers in the area to produce top quality calves, in a programme that is expected to also augment farmers’ income.
As part of enhancing agricultural activities, Cde Shamu donated 15 bicycles to agricultural extension services officers in several wards of the area to improve their mobility and advisory services to farmers.
Addressing hundreds of local farmers in the area, Cde Shamu, who is also Zanu-PF national political commissar, said Wednesday’s launch would complement a programme being run by the Zanu-PF production department headed by Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire.
“This programme is just a continuation of what Cde Mavhaire is doing,” said Cde Shamu, who is also the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity.
“He has been on a major programme to boost the national herd, so that we have a quality national herd.
“You need to think of this programme beyond this area, but in terms of the whole country where Musengezi would be renowned for quality livestock; everyone will come here to buy cattle.” Mackeral Cattle Company operations director Mr Petrus Erasmus said the primary focus for his firm is to have quality cattle that will ultimately produce quality meat and high returns for farmers.
“We are working with communities in trying to improve the quality of livestock through artificial insemination of the cow with quality semen that will produce a top quality calf,” said Mr Erasmus.
“Our objective ultimately is to roll out the programme countrywide. We will also create a market for the farmers to sell their cattle.”
Mr Erasmus explained to the farmers the process of artificial insemination. He said the farmer first isolate the cow for three months from the bull and make pregnancy tests, among other procedures before applying the artificial insemination.
During the gathering, Cde Shamu took some time to listen to the problems facing farmers, one of which was the stock theft scourge, which they said was prevalent and if unabated might derail the cattle restocking drive.
They proposed that there be a police post in the area.
The farmers said they were still holding on to their grain from last season, primarily owing to uncompetitive producer prices by the Grain Marketing Board.
In response, Cde Shamu said there was an unfortunate scenario created by the inclusive Government where the MDC-T, through Finance Minister Tendai Biti, was reluctant to meaningfully fund agriculture.
It was critical for people to vote wisely in forthcoming elections and vote for Zanu-PF, a tried and tested party, whose legacy of serving people is well documented since the attainment of independence in 1980.
He said it was strange that the European Union imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, yet the bloc reckoned that Zimbabwe had high quality beef.
Cde Shamu commended Mr Erasmus, saying he had chosen to work with Zimbabweans despite the fact that he is white.
“When we fought during the liberation struggle, we were not fighting a skin, but a system that was bad,” he said. The event was attended by Chegutu administrator Mr Makanzwei Jecheche, local leadership, extension officers and farmers.
The agricultural extension officers were given bicycles on the basis of their performance and commitment by attending agricultural shows.
Zanu-PF’s production and labour department is running cattle programmes throughout the country.
Zimbabwe has more than five million head of cattle with Mashonaland West province accounting for more than 707 883, which constitute 14 percent of the total herd.
Online Reporter