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Agriculture Deputy Minister in charge of Livestock, Cde Paddy Zhanda

Business Editor
THE People’s Republic of China has opened a market for Zimbabwean small stock farmers who could benefit immensely from the trade relations between the two countries, a Cabinet minister has said.

Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said a co-ordinated production model and supply of small stock meat provides a big economic opportunity for rural farmers.

She told farmers in Ngwaladi, Nkayi North, last Friday that the Asian giant has engaged Zimbabwe for the supply of indigenous chickens and a range of small stock meat.

“We encourage each household here to run a vibrant project in rearing indigenous chickens, goats and sheep. China has said they want to buy all these from us. I assured them that Nkayi farmers would provide them with chicken, goat and sheep meat,” she said.

Connection with markets has been a major barrier for the success of most farmers who, out of desperation, are often forced to sell their produce for a song.

The minister said her ministry has embarked on a robust nationwide drive, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, to promote increased commercial livestock production.

She said the initiative would form the bedrock of rural empowerment that would create job opportunities for farming communities.

Agriculture Deputy Minister in charge of Livestock, Cde Paddy Zhanda, said Nkayi stands to benefit more, saying the district has the highest number of goats in the country.

He encouraged farmers to improve their livestock breeds and run their projects as businesses in order to increase earnings.

During the meeting, Cde Zhanda lamented the low pricing for livestock by unscrupulous buyers he accused of cheating rural farmers.

He said a majority of farmers were not getting a fair value for their produce because of desperation.

The Deputy Minister proposed the establishment of more feedlots and livestock sale points in rural communities.

He said these should be supported by local abattoirs that would slaughter the animals and transport meat to different markets as opposed to centralisation.

Cde Zhanda said the free movement of livestock across the country was responsible for the spread of the Foot and Mouth Disease, which has a crippling effect on the sector.