The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
MORE than 171 000 farmers are beneficiaries of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP), which resulted in the transformation of livestock production, productivity and profitability.
The beneficiaries included smallholder, medium and large-scale farmers, women and youth, service providers, processors, traders and consumers. ZAGP was launched in 2019, with the financial support of the European Union (EU) amounting to €40 million. The programme had an overarching objective to contribute to the development of a diversified and efficient agriculture sector that promotes inclusive green economic growth. The programme, which was implemented by 20 partners under six consortia, officially ends on 31 March 2024, after five years of enhancing the productivity, profitability and resilience of the livestock production sector in the country.
Speaking on the programme coming to an end, Technical Assistance to ZAGP, Team Leader Mr Munhamo Chisvo said they were proud of what they have accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to serve the livestock sector in Zimbabwe.
“The programme covered Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces and focused on six livestock value chains such as beef, dairy, poultry, goats, pigs and support projects focusing on linking agricultural education, extension and research and animal health and food safety.
European Union (EU)
“ZAGP complemented the Government of Zimbabwe’s Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan (2021-2026) and has contributed immensely to improving the quality and quantity of livestock products and services through the adoption of good animal husbandry practices, animal health and food safety standards, and climate-smart technologies,’’ he said.
Mr Chisvo said beneficiary households have transformed their production to shift from subsistence to commercial livestock production, while at least US$3,6 million has been generated from livestock sales, with at least 12 200 animals sold by the beef, dairy, goat, poultry and pork producers. Mr Chisvo said farmers improved their livestock production systems, simultaneously increasing access to markets and affordable lines of finance, with almost 1 200 farmers accessing financial services that were jointly designed by ZAGP and financial institutions to enhance their production.
“Smallholder livestock producers in Zimbabwe have changed their behaviour and attitudes towards farming. It’s now farming as a family business, for commercial production and enhanced through collective action through farmer business associations and syndicates that are graduating to become fully-fledged and registered cooperative companies,” he said.
He said their partnership approach also gave them more capacity to meet with constituents at the highest level, strengthening their relationship with the Government, as it formulated the most effective policies for the good of its citizens and their livestock.
Mr Chisvo said key lessons have emerged during the programme’s lifespan and expressed hope that these will provide pointers for future livestock interventions in the country.
He said: “Showcasing our programme was a major objective. We have extensively documented the best practices, models, innovations and interventions that have achieved the highest impact. It is our hope that these will provide the basis for scaling-up of these interventions by other development players and the Government.”
Mr Chisvo said they acknowledge the invaluable guidance and oversight of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, while also thanking the EU their donor, for its vital support and assistance throughout the years.
The partners delivered the programme through six projects, which included the Beef Enterprise Strengthening and Transformation (Best), Transforming Zimbabwe’s Animal Health and Food Safety Systems for the Future (Safe), Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain for the Future (TranZDVC), Improving Poultry Value Chain (IPVC), Value Chain Alliance for Livestock Upgrading and Empowerment (Value) and Zimbabwe Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Services (Zakis).
