ZCFU to hold goat production seminar

23 Oct, 2016 - 00:10 0 Views
ZCFU to hold goat production seminar

The Sunday News

zcfu

Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) will this week hold a goat production seminar to impart knowledge to farmers in the Matabeleland region with the requisite skills in the proper upkeep of small stock.

ZCFU Matabeleland North public relations manager Mrs Shandu Gumede said the workshop which will be held at Matopo Research Station on Thursday was aimed at ensuring that farmers realise value from rearing goats.

“The training is aimed at bringing together all goat farmers and other key players to a common platform within the region to facilitate knowledge transfer and improved production and marketing of goats on both local and regional markets. A follow-up look and learning trip to a goat farm and Limpopo Dairy in South Africa will follow,” said Mrs Gumede.

Participating stakeholders also include the Department of Livestock Production and Development, Zimtrade, Matopo Research and Denzel Charmers.

“As ZCFU Matabeleland region we have realised that a lot of farmers were allocated small to medium plots during the land reform and the size of their farms isn’t viable for cattle farming hence we are encouraging them to venture into rearing of small stock mainly zeroing on goat production,” said Mrs Gumede.

Small livestock like goats survive dry conditions such as the ones prevailing in Matabeleland and to avert climate change impacts that have claimed their cattle over the years it is recommended that farmers venture into small stock production.

“There is great potential of turning goat farming into a lucrative venture. It has potential in Matabeleland because the area is relatively dry with little forage and this best suits goats than cattle. Of course most people are rearing goats but they are doing it in a subsistence way and there is a need to turn it into commercial farming” said Mrs Gumede.

Official statistics from the country’s Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development show that there are approximately 136 000 goat breeders countrywide, ranging from ordinary communal goat breeders to peri-urban goat breeders.

Most farmers regard cattle as being more important than goats. In the case of limited resources, cattle always take priority, putting goats at a disadvantage. Generally most communities in Zimbabwe have preferred rearing cattle due to their multi-purpose uses compared to other forms of livestock. But over the years goats have proven useful in income generation, capital storage, employment generation and improving household nutrition. For some farmers goat production is their only source of income. The animals are sold to boost cash inflows especially just before schools open when money is needed for school fees.

@DNsingo

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