Govt in bid to boost livestock production

Harare (New Ziana) – Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposed Livestock Growth Plan (2020-2025) which seeks to grow the sector into a US$ 1.9 billion industry by 2025.

Livestock production constitutes a very important component of the agricultural economy of developing countries which not only contributes food but also to industrial production of such things as leather, fibre, fertilizer and fuel, and is regarded as a social store of value.

Furthermore, livestock are closely linked to the social and cultural lives of several million resource-poor farmers for whom animal ownership ensures varying degrees of sustainable farming and economic stability.

It is in light of this that government has decided to prioritise livestock production.

“The Government of Zimbabwe is cognizant that the livestock sector has to be run as a business to ensure that it makes significant contribution to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic growth. In order to resolve the limiting factors in the Livestock Sector, collaboration amongst Government, the private sector and development partners will be encouraged,” Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.

“Key strategies of the Livestock Development Plan entail the following: an animal nutrition programme; a genetics improvement programme; an animal health programme; a climate change adaptation and small stock programme; the development of market and trade infrastructure; and resource mobilization.”

Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa said Cabinet also considered and approved the Conceptual Development Framework for the Victoria Falls-Binga Special Economic Zone.

“Overall, the agreed approach includes the integration of the natural environment, current ecotourism activities and requirements relating to the World Heritage Status while enhancing and diversifying the tourism products on offer and integrating tourism with other hinterland economies like mining and irrigation, for example Binga and Hwange.

“Accordingly, major activities earmarked for the Nodes are as follows: integrated resorts; a research, innovation and educational park; Medical and recreational parks; power generation and aquaculture. Going forward, Government will proceed in a phased manner and the public will be kept informed of progress made. Suffice to say, ZIDA will spearhead the development as per its mandate,” she said.
New Ziana