Brenda Ziga Herald Reporter
Government has urged stakeholders in the beef industry to invest in high quality beef herds suitable for sustainable export. Officiating at the opening ceremony of the 48th Zimbabwe Herd Book National Sale in Mt Hampden on Friday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for Crops and Irrigation Cde Davis Marapira said the livestock sector was expected to contribute immensely to national economic growth and development.
“A bull contributes 50 percent of the genetics to the herd, hence, investing in a good quality bull will quickly improve the quality of the herd, and have long-term impact. “However, there is need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to build dedicated high quality beef herds for sustainable export beef supply chain.
“The goal of the Government under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) is to increase the national cattle herd and meat production, not only to satisfy our country needs, but to build it to a stage where it contributes to export earnings,” he said.
Deputy Minister Marapira said the ministry had come up with programmes to boost the livestock sector. “The ministry, under the livestock support programmes, has come up with various strategies that include resuscitation of the Cold Storage Company (CSC), establishment of livestock breeding and multiplication centres, strengthening livestock pests and diseases surveillance, livestock research and extension services and implementing livestock drought mitigation programmes.
“The ministry through an initiative with the CSC has also set aside two ranches in Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces to multiply improved breeds of heifers and cows under the Cattle Finance Scheme for cattle producers,” he said.
He said there was increased interest in breeding with local hardy breeds, which were resistant to drought.
“I also noted that there is increased interest in breeding with local hardy breeds such as Tuli and Mashona especially given the frequency of droughts due to climate change.
“It is imperative to note that transformation of the livestock industry remains highly hinged on the adoption of improved breeds with characteristics more adapted to our production environment in terms of disease resistance, tolerance to heat and other stresses,” he said.
Deputy Minister Marapira added that 90 percent of beef cattle were from the smallholder farming sector.
“It is important to note that close to 90 percent of our beef cattle are currently from the smallholder farming sector where the cattle perform many functions such as draught power, storing value as well as milk production,” he said.
Deputy Minister Marapira also said the livestock sector contributed to the welfare and livelihoods of the farming communities.