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Abigail Shonhiwa

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
GOVERNMENT and its development partners will construct a total of 40 new dip tanks and rehabilitate 309 more in Matabeleland North Province as part of the $2.3 million beef and leather value chain project.

Government partnered the African Development Bank (AfDB) to avail a $2.3 million facility mid-this year for the pilot project whose focus is to provide support to the beef and leather sector in Matabeleland.

A consultancy firm, Agri-consulting Europe S.A (AESA), partnered by JIMAT Zimbabwe, has been engaged to implement the project, which is likely to spread to other provinces if it is successful after two years.

Responding to emailed questions, Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development Permanent Secretary, Mrs Abigail Shonhiwa, said the project would help increase the livestock herd as well as give opportunities to new cattle farmers and enhance the processing capacities along the value chain while also boosting the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

“Critical infrastructure identified in the terms of reference include the construction of 40 new dip tanks and rehabilitation of 309 dip tanks in Matabeleland North Province,” she said.

Mrs Shonhiwa said a proposal on the bills of quantities is expected to be finalized this week. She said the project is expected to address liquidity constraints through increased exports of beef and leather products as well as enhance the capacity of women and youth in the value chain through providing economic opportunities in the collection of hides. It will also help integrate sector players into the formal value chains as well as institutionalise the industry.

In preparation for the project, the Permanent Secretary said, stakeholders’ sensitisation workshops were held in the province this year before a baseline study, which has since been validated paving way for implementation. Farmers, suppliers, youths and other stakeholders have been trained in preparation for implementation, Mrs Shonhiwa added.

Two national working groups as well as focal persons at provincial, district and ward levels were established to facilitate mobilisation of participants.

ZimTrade and the Livestock and Meat Advisory Council have been engaged on how the markets for Zimbabwean beef and leather products can be expanded, with a Memorandum of Understanding expected to be signed soon.

“The Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) is expected to second two experts to build capacity of the value chain players,” she said.

A pool of 20 business development service providers will be trained to work as financial counselors to offer technical assistance and enable stakeholders to access finance.

Government and players in the industry will be able to monitor prices, performance and other components through the livestock information and traceability systems and a Livestock Information and Traceability System.

The components of the system include provision of livestock prices and volume market information based on animal type, breed, age, gender and grade, livestock identification system, tracking to enhance livestock anti-theft measures and animal health tracking information system including contracted diseases, treatments, vaccinations, and traceability of products as required for international trade.

The pilot project, running parallel to the country’s Command Livestock programme, will be spread to other provinces after two years if successful and government will have to request for additional funding. Zimbabwe’s leather industry is operating at a subdued capacity despite opportunities in markets such as Sadc and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa as well as further abroad. — @ncubeleon.