ZIMBABWE has embraced climate-smart livestock farming as part of broader efforts to curb methane emissions, strengthen farmer livelihoods and enhance national food security.
Livestock farming is the second largest contributor to human-made greenhouse gas emissions after fossil fuels, accounting for 14% of human-induced climate emissions, largely from methane released through animal burps and manure.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry permanent secretary Obert Jiri described the initiative as a strategic investment in Zimbabwe’s long-term sustainability.
He was speaking at the launch of the Enhancing National Livestock and Climate Policies with Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Mitigation in the Extensive Beef Sector of Zimbabwe project in Harare on Wednesday.
“When we talk about improving livestock health, livestock nutrition and management, we are talking about much more than just reducing emissions,” Jiri said.
“We are talking about tangible benefits for our farmers — healthier foods, higher incomes, better food security and stronger communities. We must mitigate emissions while also adapting to climate impacts.
“By reducing emissions, we are simultaneously boosting productivity, enhancing nutrition and strengthening our rural communities and economies.”
Jiri emphasised that climate mitigation and adaptation should be embraced together if Zimbabwe is to build a resilient agricultural sector.
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“For mitigation, our strategy is grounded in practical, actionable measures: promoting sustainable land management, reducing methane through better feed and manure handling, fostering innovation in feed additives and breeding, supporting ecosystems through forestry, developing smart incentives for farmers and prioritising education and extension services,” he said.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative Patrice Talla said the project directly contributed to national climate commitments and efforts to green the livestock value chain.
“Unsustainable livestock practices contribute to short-lived climate pollutants. It is, therefore, essential that we adopt climate-smart strategies to strengthen productivity while reducing emissions,” Talla said.
“Sustainable livestock systems can be a significant player in the fight against climate change, poverty and food insecurity.”
FAO livestock policy officer and lead technical officer for the project, Aimable Uwizeye, said livestock was one of the sectors most affected by climate change, particularly through extreme weather events such as drought, water stress and air pollution.
“On the other hand, livestock also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, in particular enteric methane — gas produced in the stomach of a cow,” he said.
“The only way we can address methane is through key practices that farmers can implement on-farm: feed technology, feed management and better feed for animals.”
He noted that addressing emissions within the livestock sector presents an opportunity for Zimbabwe to develop a more sustainable, climate-resilient and low-emission agri-food system.
“This will have benefits including increased productivity so that farmers can access markets and will also help to reduce enteric methane emissions.”
