
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
FARMERS have been urged to adopt use of best-bet technologies on livestock feed and fodder production as well as development of structured market infrastructure to benefit the agriculture value chain.
Best-bet technologies in the agriculture sector are said to be addressing climate change and variability, while spurring agricultural transformation to help countries achieve productivity and profitability in farming.
Speaking at the launch of the Inclusive Red Meat Value Chains for Women and Youth in East and Southern Africa (K’Lusa) project at Eluhlaza Irrigation Scheme in Tsholotsho District, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr John Basera, in a speech read on his behalf by the Department of Veterinary Services chief director, Dr Josphat Nyika said:
“Use of best-bet technologies on livestock feed and fodder production, and development of structured market infrastructure and organisation will benefit all along the value chain. Evidence generated from the actions will translate to improvement of livestock productivity and profitability.”
He said the newly launched project dovetails well to the objectives and goals of the econonimic blueprint, National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). Dr Basera said as the country makes strides towards Vision 2030, improving agriculture production, productivity and profitability for the attainment of national and household level food and nutrition security remained top priority for the Second Republic.
He said last year, President Mnangagwa launched the Agriculture Recovery Plan and Livestock Growth Plan, with the Livestock Growth Plan seeking to increase the national herd and increase revenue generation from the livestock industry to US$1,9 billion by 2025.
“Agriculture continues to occupy a dominant role in the recovery of our economy and has beforehand contributed up to 20 percent of the country’s GDP, 33 percent to formal employment, 65 percent of raw materials requirement to agro-business and account for the livelihood of at least 67 percent of the population which lives in rural areas as smallholder farmers.”
He said livestock and livestock products contribute significantly to the economy of Zimbabwe, with cattle accounting for 35 to 38 percent of the GDP contributed by the agricultural sector. Dr Basera said it was estimated that up to 60 percent of rural households own cattle, 70 to 90 percent own goats while over 80 percent own chickens.
“The Government of Zimbabwe through my Ministry welcomes the K’Lusa project which is aligned to the national priorities and strategies. The project will contribute to the growth of the livestock industry through knowledge, skills and investment in infrastructure to support women and youth participation in the red meat value chains.”
Dr Basera said the project complements other Government programmes such as the Presidential blitz tick grease scheme, Presidential cattle deworming programme and Presidential fodder crops production.
“I am reliably informed that the project will run for a period of 36 months (January 2021 to December 2023) targeting Beitbridge, Gwanda, Matobo, Nkayi and Tsholotsho where cattle, goats and sheep are in abundance.”
K’Lusa project coordinator Professor Sikhalazo Dube said with agriculture an integral part of the strategy for the attainment of vision 2030, the role of women and youth in the sector was paramount.
“If we don’t focus and streamline women and youth engagement in key-value chains, we will be like a nation going to war against hunger and malnutrition with half the army and without bullets.”
Prof Dube said women and youth need to play a prominent and rewarding role in increasing the national herd and its quality.
He said as a research and development partner they were privileged to be part of the development of the livestock sector, co-creating solutions and innovations with the Government and communities.
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) consultant country liaison, Ms Joylyn Ndoro said the project piloted strengthening smallholder beef value chain through facilitated organisation into private companies around feedlots, linking to markets and access to finance.
The K’Lusa project is funded by the IFAD and consortium partners (International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), CGIAR and SOLIDARIDAD) to the tune of US$2 million.
The project is also being implemented in Malawi.