Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare, Agri-business Reporter
THE United States says its partnership with Zimbabwe has entered a new phase focused on trade, investment and commercial cooperation, with imports of US bovine genetics into Zimbabwe rising by 35 percent this year as the two countries deepen efforts to modernise the livestock sector.
The shift comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to build a more productive livestock industry under the National
Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), with Government targeting a national cattle herd of 12 million by 2034 and a US$3,4 billion livestock industry by 2030 through improved genetics, technology and commercialisation.
Speaking during the Zimbabwe Genomic Pilot Insights Session in Harare on Wednesday, United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Pamela Tremont said the growing adoption of American livestock genetics reflected stronger commercial ties between the two countries.
She said Zimbabwe’s imports of US bovine genetics had increased by 35 percent in 2026, demonstrating growing confidence among local producers in American breeding technologies.
“Today, this partnership is entering a new phase — one defined not by traditional assistance, but by trade, investment and shared commercial activity,” said Ms Tremont.
“Zimbabwe’s imports of US bovine genetics have grown by an impressive 35 percent, a clear signal of the strengthening agricultural ties between our two economies and of Zimbabwean producers’ confidence in US genetics stock to strengthen their national herd.”
Ms Tremont said AgBoost, an American Artificial Intelligence-powered livestock genetics and herd analytics platform, was making its first appearance in Africa through its partnership with Kraal-Gen Analytics in Zimbabwe.
She said the initiative demonstrated how innovation and entrepreneurship could strengthen agricultural productivity while creating sustainable commercial opportunities.
“This is what moving from aid to trade looks like — not the withdrawal of American engagement, but its evolution into something more durable, more mutual and ultimately more prosperous for both our countries,” she said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Professor Obert Jiri said the adoption of genomics and digital technologies fitted squarely within Government’s drive to modernise agriculture under NDS2 and the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy.
He said the livestock sector was expected to contribute at least US$3,4 billion towards the targeted US$15,8 billion agriculture economy by 2030.
“Genomics, digital technologies and data analytics present a transformative opportunity to revolutionise how livestock producers understand their animals and make management decisions,” said Prof Jiri.
“This is not science for science’s sake, but practical, actionable intelligence that translates directly into improved productivity and profitability.”
Kraal-Gen Analytics managing director Ms Shamiso Masuka said the technology would enable livestock producers to make evidence-based breeding decisions using genomic information alongside on-farm performance records.
“We are bringing technology that allows farmers to make informed breeding decisions based on data and genetics, improving productivity and profitability,” she said.
One of the breeders who participated in the pilot project, Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula, said genomic testing had revealed commercially valuable traits that conventional selection methods could not easily detect.
“The pilot showed us things we didn’t even know about our animals. It helps us improve productivity and, as a result, improve profitability,” she said.
The pilot project analysed tissue samples from five cattle breeds — Mashona, Boran, Brahman, Simbra and Simmental — with stakeholders saying the technology could accelerate genetic improvement, strengthen food security and enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in regional and international livestock markets.
