STAKEHOLDERS in livestock production, a key component of the agriculture sector, continue to make efforts to improve growth of the sector with calls being made to farmers to produce high quality animals.
Last season, livestock producers were severely affected by drought.
This forced many to under-sell their cattle as most were emaciated.
The price of cattle is determined by the quality of the animal.
The cost of cattle ranges from US$300 to US$1 200 a beast, depending on its weight and type.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) livestock expert Lloyd Mataya urged farmers to adopt production techniques that ensure they produce quality livestock.
The union, in partnership with cattle buyers, is spearheading the formation of feedlots to ensure farmers produce and increase the quality of livestock.
A feedlot, also known as a feedyard, is a land area under a perimeter fence where livestock is restricted and fed a highly specialised diet.
Prior to entering a feedlot, cattle are weighed and vaccinated.
Recently, Mangwe Cattle Association farmers in Matabeleland South, with the assistance of Bulawayo Abattoirs, set up feedlots to gain a ready market.
Under the arrangement, Bulawayo Abattoirs, which buys cattle once they have gained the appropriate weight, provides the required feed.
Cattle are kept in feedlots for between two and three months before they are sold to Bulawayo Abattoirs.
Mataya said plans were on course to spread the feedlots across the country in cattle rearing areas.
“The issue is on primarily improving the quality of cattle before selling,” he said.
“Currently, we are engaging various partners for the purpose of up-scaling the programme.
“We want to cover the whole southern part of the country with plans to establish feed lots in Matopo in progress.”
Mataya said the Union was also exploring viable ways of establishing similar feedlots for goats.
“We are looking at modalities for doing the same for goats,” he said, noting that setting up feedlots across the country would add impetus to efforts to improve Zimbabwe’s herd.
Setting up feedlots, said Mataya, could prove to be a lasting solution to the challenge of inadequate pastures common to low rainfall areas.
Since the launching of the Land Reform Programme in 2000, the number of indigenous farmers taking up livestock production has been on the rise.
Prior to the programme, most indigenes were not involved in commercial livestock production which was deemed a preserve of white commercial farmers.
Communal farmers kept small herds of domestic animals mainly for consumption and draught power in the fields.
Over the years, farmers have been encouraged to augment crop production, the strength of many, with animal husbandry.
Livestock has remained the backbone of most farmers who rely on cattle for draught power.
Efforts by Government to preserve and boost the national herd which stands at five million were hampered by drought last year.
Government plans to increase the herd to 25 million in the next 20 years.
Meanwhile, livestock farmers have also raised concerns over livestock levy that is being charged by some Rural District Councils on sales as the move negatively impacts on the growth of the national herd.
Mataya urged policymakers to ensure consultations were exhaustive before putting in place certain rules.
“The reason there are so many complains, especially from the farmers, is because on some of the policies guiding the sector, they feel they were not consulted hence they should be given room to have their say,” he said.
Mataya said the issue of levies and fines that has been a major drawback in the sector should be dealt with.
“These levies are eroding our earnings and if thorough consultations are done before putting in place policies, such concerns will be raised and addressed,” he said.
“It is important that through review processes, players in the sector interrogate the issue of levies and fines, some which are said to be stifling the growth of the sector.”
The issue of fines and levies in the livestock sector has taken centre stage with farmers calling on Government to intervene.
Players in the beef producing sector have voiced against some levies charged during cattle sales; fees to acquire vet permits and costs incurred when acquiring police clearance while moving livestock.