Government touts climate-resilient technology for livestock

AGRICULTURE permanent secretary John Basera says the sector should foster linkages between research, farmers, and extension services as livestock producers adopt climate-resilient technologies.
Basera told a pasture production and processing demonstration field day in Mvurwi last week that the government had crafted a number of strategies as solutions to major challenges affecting livestock associated with animal health, nutrition, and genetic improvement issues.
“The government of Zimbabwe attaches great importance to the development of the livestock sector and seeks to grow the sector to a US$1,9 billion economy by 2025.
“To achieve this, the government has set in motion strategies such as the Livestock Growth Plan, Rural Development 8.0, which are premised on improving production and productivity,” Basera said.
“Negative impacts of climate change have amplified the health and nutrition challenges, necessitating the need to adapt to the prevailing situation.
“What we are witnessing here today are these strategies coming to life, where farmers are adopting climate resilient technologies for increased productivity.
“This event has brought to light the close linkages that exist among the farmer, research and extension.
“Let us continue to foster these linkages as we have all witnessed the impressive results of our coordinated efforts,” Basera added.
Farmers are being continually encouraged to adopt climate-resilient technologies, as advised by government researchers and extension experts.
“Fodder production as a strategy to ensure all-year-round feed availability cannot be over-emphasised if farmers are to lower production costs and increase profit margins.
“Investing in sustainable intensive forage production systems is critical to sustain our livestock herds and minimise over-reliance on commercial feeds,” Basera said.
He urged farmers to be cognisant of appropriate livestock breeds.
“Let us also take pride in adaptable livestock breeds such as the Boran, which have been proven to be highly efficient and resilient animals even under adverse conditions.
“I would like to invite all stakeholders to continually partner government in support of the livestock sector so that it can contribute significantly to the provincial and national Gross Domestic Product,” Basera said.
This comes as Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka recently said a marginal increase in livestock numbers last year bodes well for future growth prospects in the wake of recent serious disease outbreaks.
The government says the country is making progress in the fight against livestock diseases such as Theileriosis, which is more commonly referred to as January Disease.
According to official figures, the country has lost over half a million cattle since 2015 to the disease.
“Livestock provides income, status and employment to farmers, as 90 percent of the 5,6 million livestock is in communal areas. Over the years, some 50 percent of the 4 000 dip tanks became derelict, so diseases such as January Disease and foot and mouth became a menace.
“Since 2019, we have resolved to change the situation through the Livestock Growth Strategy, focusing on eliminating diseases, improving genetics and improving pastures.
“Consequently, some 67 percent of dip tanks are now operational, as we aim to rehabilitate over 500 dip tanks annually.
“In the interim, since 2020, we have given the one million cattle-owning households one-kilogramme tick grease each to control tick-borne diseases. Resultantly, a 47 percent reduction in tick-borne deaths was recorded in 2020, and a further reduction of 39 percent was recorded in 2021,” Masuka told The Financial Gazette recently.
“In 2021, we recorded a small increase of 0,6 percent in livestock numbers. This augurs well for future growth.”
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