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Cletus Mushanawani in Chipinge
THE Presidential Goat Scheme aimed at distributing 632 000 goats of improved local genetics across the country was launched in Chisuma Village in Chipinge South yesterday.
President Mnangagwa was represented Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
President Mnangagwa said the Presidential Goat Scheme is a significant milestone and key indicator for the Second Republic’s resolve to improve the welfare and livelihoods of Zimbabweans, especially those in the rural areas through sustainable livestock production, leaving no one and no place behind.
Under the scheme, 35 000 bucks (he goats), thus one buck per village and 597 000 does (she goats) will be distributed to vulnerable groups in every village across the country.
All the 35 000 bucks will be electronically tagged to trace their movements and ensure accountability.
The vulnerable groups to benefit include the elderly, women-headed families, people iving disabilities and youth- headed families as defined in the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee Report.
At Bhande Village where the programme was launched, President Mnangagwa distributed 292 does and 27 bucks to all the 121 households and all the 24 village heads in Ward 29 of Chipinge Rural District Council.
Chief Garahwa, the host chief received five goats (three does and two bucks).
He became the first chief to benefit from the programme.
“The country ie experiencing climate change resulting in droughts, floods, diseases, pests, food shortages and increased vulnerability to shocks. In response, Government through the Livestock Growth Plan (2021-25) has increased focus on building resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change through the implementation of climate change adaptation strategies in the agricultural sector.
“Small stock farming which is the integral part of building resilience and business for rural communities in Zimbabwe is an important adaptation intervention.
“The Presidential Goat Scheme complements other Presidential Schemes such as the Presidential Cotton Scheme, the Presidential Blitz Tick Grease Scheme, the Presidential Poultry Scheme, the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme and the Presidential Rural Development Programme ane the local Innovations, Inventions and Interventions, which is collectively dubbed Rural Development 8.0 which aim to improve incomes and livelihoods of 61 percent of our population, some 9,2 million people, so that they are not left behind, but become mainstreamed into gainful economic activity, as we journey towards 2030,” said President Mnangagwa.
He implored the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Ministry to accelerate the implementation of the Li of Growth Plan which is an anchor of the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy.
“It is worth noting that over 90 percent of Livestock is owned by the smallholder farmers, hence the importance of supporting the smallholder sector for increased livestock production and productivity.
“All rural households will receive training on aspects of Goat rearing, feed, disease control, best management practice and Goat production as a business.
“This is because this Presidential Goat Scheme will eventually cover all three million rural households,” he said.
President Mnangagwa added: “I have instructed that the Presidential Goat Scheme should spur goat rearing in local communities, as the goats will be procured in rural areas, unlike in the earlier centralised procurement model. “This decentralised goat procurement system will catalyse rural entrepreneurship.”
Online Reporter