Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
The country has registered an increase in pig production with 224 625 pigs having been slaughtered on a commercial basis last year, yielding 17 482 tonnes of meat.
This compares favourably with 220 000 pigs slaughtered in 2023. According to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the commercial sow population was estimated at 128 819 in 2023, with a dedicated commercial herd of about 18 000.
Historical data from 2020 shows a steady increase in pig slaughters, from 180 000 in 2020 to 200 000 in 2021, and 220 000 in both 2022 and 2023.
This upward trend underscores the resilience and potential of the pig farming sector in Zimbabwe.
In his weekly report, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) chief director Mr Leonard Munamati emphasised the need for innovative strategies to enhance pig production.
“We are implementing reproductive management practices such as heat detection and breeding programmes,” he noted.
“Additionally, introducing improved genetics through artificial insemination and importing parent and grandparent stock for breeding purposes is crucial.”
Mr Munamati said the Government’s vision for the industry includes improving reproduction and fertility rates, optimising nutrition and feed management and sharing knowledge among farmers and industry stakeholders.
He highlighted the importance of regular health monitoring by farmers.
The Government has set an ambitious target to produce 25 000 tonnes of pork annually by next year, a move aligned with the country’s Vision 2030.
The initiative is projected to generate approximately US$73 million from pork production, a significant advancement for the national value chain.
