Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza
FOR generations, Zimbabwean farmers have relied on the resilience of their cattle to survive droughts, disease, and other harsh climatic conditions, but a new generation of livestock producers is turning to improved genetics to build stronger, more productive, and climate-resilient herds.
The shift is helping farmers improve the quality and productivity of their animals while contributing to Government’s ambitious target of growing the national cattle herd to six million by 2030 under its livestock genetic improvement programme. The programme is supporting artificial insemination and structured breeding systems through capacitated research institutions, with emphasis on indigenous and adapted breeds such as Tuli, Mashona and Nkone, which are renowned for their fertility, resilience and ability to withstand harsh conditions.
The initiative is part of a broader Government strategy to improve livestock performance, reduce mortality, and boost beef production efficiency as Zimbabwe moves towards a more competitive and climate-smart agricultural sector. Commercial farmers are also playing a key role in the drive, with the Pilossof family, a household name in Zimbabwe’s pedigree cattle and genetics business, contributing to the improvement of national cattle genetics and complementing Government efforts to rebuild the national herd.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Davis Marapira, reflected on this during a field day at the Rhodes Estates farm in Matabeleland South Province on Wednesday.
The Pilossof brothers run a commercial cattle rearing entity known for its famed Brahman and Beefmasters breeds in a sprawling 4 000-hectare enterprise.
In 2014, the Pilossof brothers entered into an agreement with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Au-thority (ZimParks) to run their pedigree business in the Rhodes Estates as a means to preserve parts of the Matopos National Park — a world heritage site — while at the same time operating a commercially viable livestock project in the park.
“The country’s cattle genetics are vastly improving, and as Government, we are happy that farmers such as the Pilos-sof family are advancing good genetics that are adaptable to climate change and local climatic conditions,” said Marapira.
“Climate change has made us rethink our farming models, and the Pilossof family has managed to adapt to the challenges that are brought about by the phenomenon.” The Deputy Minister said the Pilossof family were doing re-markable work at their farm, given the difficult climatic and economic circumstances.
“Mr Paul Pilossof and the Pilossof family operate a premier pedigree cattle and genetics enterprise here in Matopos, and the family is renowned for their high-value Brahman and Beefmaster breeding programs,” he said.
“Their work is in direct alignment with the Government’s livestock development mantra on genetics improvement and climate-smart ranching.
“This is further strengthened through their collaboration with the Matopos Research Institute.” Marapira said livestock remains the main economic driver for the majority of farmers in the Matabeleland region, hence it should be treated like business with immense potential to change the lives of farmers and their families.
