Harare, (New Ziana) -The Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIPS-Zim) project, which has been running for the past four years, has empowered smallholder farmers to improve their operations through adopting climate smart technologies.
LIPS-Zim is a four-year €5 000 000 project funded by the European Union which aims to improve livelihoods in semi-arid agro-ecological regions IV and V by increasing the adoption of climate-smart innovations in livestock-based production systems, and improving the surveillance and control of livestock diseases.
Started in January 2020, the project is implemented under the auspices of Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA), an initiative dedicated to adapting agricultural practices to climate change, promoting agro-ecology, and supporting small farmers.
Led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the project was implemented in partnership with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), and the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS) in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
It identified climate-relevant livestock production practices such as fodder management and conservation, water harvesting, and manure management as solutions to increase livestock productivity in Zimbabwe.
The initiative has helped over 15 000 farmers in 6 target districts to adopt more sustainable innovative animal nutrition technologies to cope with the effects of climate change and declining soil fertility.
Speaking at the project’s close-out event in the capital on Wednesday, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Obert Jiri, said the LIPS-Zim project had achieved remarkable milestones in enhancing the growth and sustainability of the livestock sector.
“The work done by LIPS-Zim project has significantly strengthened farmers’ resilience, empowered rural communities, and enhanced the livestock sector’s contribution to food security and economic development,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, IPS-Zim project leader Sikhalazo Dube said, “While taking stock on our achievements, we are aware that there are still major challenges to be overcome in livestock production in Zimbabwe.”
“We now seek to extend our impact by learning from past and current work, case studies and trying new ideas, technologies and approaches.”
Among other achievements, LIPS-Zim registered six diets for cattle and goats through joint efforts, with support from DR&SS.
In addition, the project renovated and equipped provincial veterinary laboratories in Masvingo and Gwanda, and the Tsetse Laboratory in Harare, at a cost of €90,000.
This has improved diagnosis and control of tick-borne diseases in the two provinces, improved natural rangelands management and marketing infrastructure.
Through the project, 96 officers from the Department of Veterinary Services and the University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Veterinary Sciences were trained in disease surveillance, analysis, detection, and vaccine production.
At least 110 agricultural extension and veterinary officers from target districts were trained as trainers through refresher workshops, enhancing their ability to support farmers effectively.
Also, the project constructed and promoted acaricide footbaths in Chiredzi, Seke, Matopos, and Nyaminyami (Kariba) districts for €1 390 to enhance livestock health.
New Ziana