Govt urges communal farmers to adopt commercial cattle production as Zimbabwe pursues Vision 2030

Govt urges communal farmers to adopt commercial cattle production as Zimbabwe pursues Vision 2030
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Government says Zimbabwe’s push towards Vision 2030 will require communal livestock farmers to move beyond subsistence cattle keeping and adopt business-focused production methods that improve herd performance and market returns.

Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Davis Marapira, made the call while addressing an inaugural beef field day held at Zvavahera in Masvingo Province. The event was hosted by farmer Garikayi Mushava in partnership with the Zimbabwe Beef Producers Society.

According to the remarks shared from the field day, Marapira said improving herd efficiency should be central to the shift towards commercialised communal livestock production, with farmers encouraged to focus on management practices that raise productivity and the quality of animals supplied to the market.

He highlighted the importance of keeping optimal breeding ratios, practising strategic culling, and using pen fattening as part of a structured approach aimed at increasing value from communal herds. The thrust, he said, is to position communal cattle as a driver of inclusive rural growth, supported by value addition and rural industrialisation.

The beef field day also served as a platform to promote a productivity-driven, market-oriented model for livestock, aligning with national priorities such as food security and rural economic development.

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While the event took place in Masvingo, the message resonates with livestock-producing districts across Mashonaland Central, where communal farmers often hold significant herd numbers but face challenges linked to production efficiency, marketing, and value addition.

Agriculture stakeholders say improving breeding management and offtake planning can help farmers earn more per animal, while pen fattening can support better finishing and more consistent supply for buyers seeking quality beef.

The ministry and industry bodies have increasingly promoted commercialisation in communal areas as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to expand rural industrialisation and build stronger agricultural value chains.

Community members are encouraged to follow local extension guidance and established producer groups for practical support on herd management, breeding programmes and market requirements.

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