livestock

Editorial
A Magazine for Livestock and Meat Advisory Council & its allied associations
Taking Stock
G
overnment' recent landmark Agency (DANIDA) funded Smallholder
decision to recognise Livestock (Beef) Sub-Sector Study carried
aquaculture as part of out by the Netherlands Development
agriculture has paved the way for fish Agency (SNV).
farming's expansion in Zimbabwe. It is Two-thirds of the national herd is now
now a livestock industry in its own right concentrated in the communal sector,
under the ambit of the ministry of where cattle are kept for multiple
agriculture, mechanization and purposes and offtake is generally low. In
irrigation development. some rural communities, offtakes of up at grassroots level to evolve into a unitary
Other new livestock entities have been to 13% over the last decade have been association.
established, reflecting growing interest in recorded, almost reaching the 15% Strong farmer associations and
the commercial rearing of different types offtake target set by government to grow organisational structures at the macro
of stock for sustainable livelihoods and the beef industry. level are vital to give cohesion, direction,
self-empowerment. The Rabbit Breeders Recognising the strong dairy farmer engagement and professionalism when
and Producers Trust and the Zimbabwe organisation in the country, the study serving the interests of livestock
Quail and Aviculture Association have observes that the Zimbabwe Association producers at all levels. Well organised,
recently been launched and a large of Dairy Farmers plays a critical role in member-owned associations deliver on
number of participants attended the providing technical extension, lobbying their mandate and give farmers a unified
events. and engagement and information voice to engage other stakeholders on
I n l i n e w i t h t h e s e e x c i t i n g transfer to dairy farmers. issues fundamental to the business of
developments, the annual Livestock The workshop to validate the findings farming.
Symposium in May will also include fish, of the SNV Beef Sub-Sector Study This is especially important in a year
quails and rabbits. This event provides a i d e n t i f i e d a n e e d f o r s t r o n g when many livestock producers are
learning and experience sharing forum organisational structures to build farmer fighting for survival--with some now
for livestock producers across the capacity in the beef sector. Noting the losing up to four cattle a day to drought.
spectrum. many initiatives to improve the There is a need for drought mitigation
That Zimbabwe's largest group of livelihoods of cattle owners at the micro, measures, for strategic planning and to
livestock producers, cattle owners, do meso and macro levels, the study use available resources to help people
not have an association of their own to emphasises the need for a strong beef survive as well as to save livestock.
represent their interests is highlighted in producer organisation—whether So who's going to look after our
the Danish International Development established as a national entity or initially interests then?
4
Livestock Today April-June 2016