By Decide Nhendo
Makoholi Research Institute Officers have encouraged livestock farmers to invest in indigenous breeds of cattle and sheep as a way to preserve the breeds and increase productivity.
The officers raised concern over the issue saying many farmers were venturing into exotic breeds which grow fast with large carcasses which go for high prices on the market but are prone to climate changes.
Researchers said local livestock farmers must take advantage of indigenous breeds like Mashona cattle breed, Sabi sheep and goats which are tolerant to local climates, being also resistant to climate and environmental effects like the current drought.
Speaking to TellZim News, Research Officer Calisto Gwatirisa said local livestock farmers seem to be forgetting the importance of indigenous livestock given their resilience to the devastating effects of climate change causing droughts resulting in shortage of pastures and water for cattle.
“Local farmers are seemingly rushing for exotic breeds and tend to forget that our indigenous breeds which include Mashona and Sabi sheep breeds are more favourable to be reared in harsh climatic conditions.
“I encourage livestock farmers to take advantage of local breeds of livestock as they adapt well and suit in low input assistance in terms of climate change which is currently causing lack of adequate pastures due to low rainfall,” said Gwatirisa.
He said though Eastern African goats are important in our agricultural production system, indigenous goats are fast deteriorating in numbers since farmers do not recognize their importance and role.
“Farmers mostly think that if they keep high mixed breeds they will fetch more money on markets but they must take heed of the fact that local breeds thrive well in our communities given that we have little pasture.
“In our communities, only around 18.5percent of goats are pure indigenous while mixed breeds and exotic breeds cover 32.9 percent and 48.6 percent respectively which means many farmers are neglecting indigenous goats,” said Gwatirisa.
Gwatirisa said small Eastern goats enhance resilient farming and can produce large quantities of milk and meat production with a little input which shows their importance in alleviating poverty to improve livelihoods.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said institutes like Makoholi and Matopos were playing a pivotal role in preserving indigenous livestock breeds which are important in community development as they can thrive in harsh climatic conditions like droughts.
“Indigenous livestock breeds are important to community development as they can sail through harsh climate effects like droughts providing food and money to communal farmers.
“Institutes such as Makoholi, Grasslands, Matopos, and Henderson are important as these have specific research programmes which look at our indigenous breeds for livestock. Makoholi is the mainstay of Mashona breed and Sabi sheep are adaptable to Zimbabwe climatic conditions so if you want to buy heifers or steers you will get them at this institute,” said Jiri.
He also said the institute’s mandate was to develop technologies important in the livestock industry like conserving the Mashona breed for future generations since it was a national asset facing threats from drought effects.
The ministry is targeting to inseminate 500 cows from various districts through social service to farmers and has bulls and he-goats to be sold at affordable prices to increase national livestock production.
Livestock farming is one of the key factors affected by climate change and drought and centres like Makoholi come in handy for the maintenance and recovery of these breeds from harmful drought effects.
