Story by Tamuka Charakupa
The Gudyanga community in Chimanimani West has benefitted from a government cattle production revitalisation programme through training programmes and technical support.
Government has enlisted the services of a development partner, Tsuro Trust to capacitate cattle farmers in the area through rehabilitation of boreholes and technical support to boost cattle production in the dry region.
The farmers attest to the fact that the programme dubbed ‘Holistic Land and Livestock Management Programme’ has become a source of livelihood through commercial cattle rearing.
“We want to thank the government and Tsuro Trust for ensuring that we maximise cattle production through managing our grazing areas as well as the rehabilitation of boreholes where we are getting clean water,” said a pleased farmer.
“Our area is a dry region so we struggle to realise anything from the fields, so this programme has been an eye opener where we get support and establish market linkages to turn our cattle production commercial,” noted another.
Another farmer added, “The rehabilitation of boreholes has impacted positively because our cattle can now drink clean water unlike being exposed to the dangers of the Save River where they are prey to crocodiles.”
A total of US$50 000 has been invested in the project.
“We engaged the Gudyanga community where we are training them on how to conserve the environment particularly their grazing areas,” noted Tsuro Trust executive director, Mr Backson Muchini.
“We have established paddocks, rehabilitated boreholes, establish markets and create market linkages for our farmers.”
“We are equipping them with knowledge on proper cattle production so that they produce for commercial purposes which in turn means improved livelihoods. To that effect we have invested close to US$50 000 in over 14 wards where this programme is being implemented,” he added.
The national beef cattle herd is estimated at around 5.5 million and government has invested heavily towards increasing the number through programmes such as the Presidential Heifer Pass-on Scheme.