THE Zimbabwe Feed and Fodder Multi-stakeholder Platform (ZFFMSP) has set an ambitious goal to transform the country's livestock sector into a US$25 billion industry, with a focus on boosting the economy and ensuring sustainable production.
The initiative seeks to revitalise Zimbabwe's feed and fodder sector, which is crucial for livestock growth and agricultural wealth. According to recent reports, the country is home to approximately 5,74 million cattle.
However, the sector has faced significant challenges, particularly due to an El Niño-induced drought, which resulted in the loss of nearly 10 000 cattle at the onset of the 2023-24 season.
Additionally, around 47% of rural wards have experienced pasture shortages since July 2024, jeopardising one of Zimbabwe's key industries.
Speaking at the ZFFMSP breakfast meeting in Harare this week, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry secretary Obert Jiri said the government, through feed and fodder programmes, believed Zimbabwe could increase its herd from 5,7 million to 6,6 million by 2030.
“That is to increase our national cattle herd to 6,6 million, our broiler production to 362 000 metric tonnes and our milk production to 200 million litres by 2030,” Jiri said, in a speech read on his behalf by Sitokozile Sibanda, director in the Department of Livestock Production and Development.
“For this, we need a secure, competitive and sustainable feed and water base. You hold the key to unlocking these goals.
“Let us, therefore, be true partners, aligned in purpose and action. Let us build a seed and water sector that is sufficient, resilient and proudly export-oriented. Together, let us align for national prosperity.”
- Zim targets US$25bn livestock sector by 2030
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Jiri said the partnership between the government and ZFFMSP would promote production of drought-resistant crops to help farmers to conserve water while improving output.
“Unlocking our massive water infrastructure potential, we have over 10 000 dams and our target of 35 000 rural boreholes under the Presidential Rural Development Programme to secure year-round irrigated fodder production,” he said.
“This has become an easy economic model in action, moving us from rain-fed vulnerability to irrigated alignment with ZFFMSP as the engine of coordination and comment.”
Jiri said the ministry’s goal was to make sure that the agricultural sector became competitive and grew to become the backbone of the economy.
“Our ultimate goal is not just sufficiency but global competitiveness. We are committed to helping this platform to promote investment, to build a viable and entrepreneurial sector, to actively seek regional and international markets, adhering to global standards and certifications outlined in our strategic plan,” he said.
ZFFMSP chairperson Nathaniel Makoni said Zimbabwe lost a significant number of livestock during the 2023-24 drought season.
“Our vision is US$25 billion. This is the opportunity we can unlock by creating a globally competitive livestock sector that will reduce costs of production, improve our feed and food quality. Productivity of the beef, dairy and other national markets will be improved,” he said.
“Now, in short, from where we are, we now need to move our interest to ownership of the whole process, where success will require that all stakeholders, including all of you present today, will actually join us to create a much more formidable force.”
Sarah Ashanut Ossiya, coordinator RAFFS Project AU-IBAR, said Africa must scale up its livestock production and be competitive globally.
"Africa must scale up its livestock production and also make it accessible through rapid and massive upscale and institutionalisation. And its performance should be driven by the universal need for and by trade opportunities,” she said.
Ossiya added that environmental health and sustainability would be critical, with greater use of feed-based production systems rather than reliance on rainfall.
