‘Increased livestock output can drive economic growth’

Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira, says cattle farmers must scale up production to make a meaningful contribution to the economy.
Speaking at the inaugural Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Livestock Conference in Bulawayo on Friday, Deputy Minister Marapira stressed the need to boost the national herd, which currently stands at 5,7 million.

He noted the sector’s crucial role in sustaining rural livelihoods but stressed the need for significant growth. “Current figures are not contributing to the economy. There is no growth in the livestock sector,” he said.
He urged farmers to drive expansion and improve productivity. “We need farmers to bring growth, so there is a contribution to the GDP.

“We have about 5,7 million cattle while Tanzania has around 32 million and Kenya over 25 million. Yet, we are still talking about 5,7 million. There is no growth.”

He also called for solutions to the sector’s challenges.
“As we look to the future, we must confront challenges affecting the growth of the sector,” he added.
The Government’s plan to grow the country’s national herd to 11 million cattle by 2030 is progressing well, with various programmes in place to ensure that the country meets the national beef demand.

To grow the national herd, the Government is spearheading an artificial insemination programme for farmers in rural areas. The process involves cross-breeding with semen from selected quality bulls.

It expects the livestock industry to grow to a US$3,4 billion sector by 2025 after the sector makes positive strides in improving productivity and combating cattle mortality following the outbreak of tick-borne diseases, which has ravaged almost half a million cattle since 2016.-chroncile