THE national herd has increased slightly by two percent from 5, 2 million during the 2012/2013 season to 5, 3 million this season as cattle condition was affected by depleted grazing, inadequate drinking water and lack of de-worming drugs.
According to the First Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report released by the Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development ministry, Masvingo province has the largest herd with communal farmers owning the bulk of the cattle.
“Some parts of Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Manicaland, Midlands and Masvingo had inadequate grazing which may not last into the next season,” said the ministry.
“Quality of grazing in some communal and old resettlement areas is poor as it comprised mainly of grass species with poor palatability and low nutritional value due to overgrazing.
“The herbage yield is also low.
“Stock feeds were available on the market though the majority of smallholder farmers could not afford them.”
According to the report, Masvingo province has a herd of one million, followed by Mashonaland West whose herd stands at 700 000 and Matabeleland with the smallest herd of 500 000.
The slight increase of the national herd comes at the back of continued efforts by Government to preserve and boost the national herd.
Government plans to increase the herd to 25 million in the next 20 years.
Over the years, farmers’ efforts to grow the herd have been derailed by a number of challenges such as lack of adequate funding to purchase feeds, dipping chemicals and loss of livestock to thieves.
The assessment report indicates that more than 1 500 deaths were recorded out of the 6 600 recorded cases of tick-borne diseases.
Masvingo, Mashonaland West and East had the highest number of cases recorded.
More than 1 600 cases of foot and mouth were recorded and 21 187 cattle were vaccinated in Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland North.
“High cattle mortalities in Matabeleland North and South were attributed to drought,” said the ministry.
“Distribution of the chemicals from the district offices to animal health centres was poor, resulting in dipping being erratic in some areas.”
According to the report, the country has 521 607 sheep, 3, 7 million goats and more than 300 000 pigs.
Day old chick production increased by 38 percent from 52 million in 2012 to 72 million in 2013.
Poultry production has increased on the back of the growing number of players in the sector most of whom produce at small-scale levels producing broiler meat.
“Broiler meat production increased by 37 percent,” said the ministry.
“In 2013, the production of broiler day old chicks was 64, 4 million indicating an increase of 17 percent.
“Average monthly broiler meat production increased from 1 920 in 2012 to 2 627 in 2013.”
Egg production has however decreased by one percent from 24, 9 million in 2012 to 24, 6 million in 2013.
Milk production has also decreased by three percent from 55, 9 million litres produced in 2012 to 54 million in 2013.