The Sunday News
Farming Reporter
ALL is set for the first ever Sunday News Agribusiness forum which will be held on Thursday at a local hotel aimed at creating linkages between livestock farmers, Government, buyers and other stakeholders as a way of reviving the industry.
Over the years there has been counter accusations among those in the livestock chain who have been blaming each other over problems that crop up along the value chain from breeding of livestock up to the market.
Sunday News Editor Limukani Ncube said as a newspaper, Sunday News wanted to be a big player in promoting the livestock industry which is a major source of livelihoods for people in the southern parts of the country.
“Although we are among a few publications which have a dedicated space for farming, we felt that other than disseminating the information, we can bring all the players together so that they can freely debate issues affecting the livestock industry.
“We have carried stories of farmers complaining, of buyers complaining of levies and even consumers complaining of pricing at the end of the chain. We thought that by bringing these people together they can openly discuss and come up with a way that can improve the industry and the economy in general,” he said.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Responsible for Livestock Paddy Zhanda will be the guest of honour.
“There are a lot of issues around the livestock industry which farmers are keen to know. This will be their chance to engage the Deputy Minister and other Government officials to articulate on these issues,” said Ncube.
He said among the biggest worry for farmers especially in Matabeleland was the issue of Foot and Mouth Disease which has resulted in the suspension of cattle sales at major cattle pens especially in Bulawayo.
FMD has also resulted in the poor livestock showing at the Bulawayo Agriculture Show which starts on Tuesday.
The Bulawayo Show Society, which organise the annual show said they have also lost considerable business due to the banning of the cattle auctions.
Last month, the Botswana government also announced that it will embark on a shoot to kill policy for all livestock that will stray into their country starting in June. “This is a serious matter which must go beyond just letting the farmers staying near the border know. We want such platforms to discuss specifically what is going to be done to ensure that cattle will not cross in Botswana,” said Ncube.
Other Government organisations which are also expected to attend include the Department of Livestock Production, Agriculture Marketing Authority and Agritex.
“Apart from an open invitation to farmers we have also invited farmer representatives of cattle, goats, poultry and pigs to share information from a specific sector point of view rather than broadly on what they need to be done to improve their areas,” said Ncube.
The aim, said Ncube was also to address the issue of how Zimbabwe can increase its national herd after farmers lost cattle due to drought over the years.
Between 18 000 and 20 000 cattle, according to the Zimbabwe Abattoirs Association, have died as a result of drought since last year.
Companies that deal with farmers, said Ncube, can take advantage of the seminar to engage the farmers.
“As a paper our ultimate aim is to become the paper of choice for every farmer. We want to allow farmers and their stakeholders to come up with strategies that can help improve the economy. There are a lot of companies including Cold Storage Company whose survival depends on a vibrant livestock industry and we will be happy if our efforts can help in other efforts already being done to revive such entities,” said Ncube.
He said so far more than 50 farmers and numerous organisations have registered to attend the seminar.
“We are still registering and those who would want to attend can still get in touch with our offices. Registration is free,” said Ncube.
