Goat producers confident

Workshops have also been held in parts of Mashonaland West including Makonde and Hurungwe districts.

“Goat production has always been affected by the lack of insight within farmers to commercialise our own Zimbabwean goat, given that less than five percent of our local goats are in the commercial sector, proper management has to be applied,” he said.

Communal goat farmers interviewed implored Government to allow farmers to access cheap vaccines and veterinary medicines from neighbouring countries.

“Government should make it easy for organised farmers and registered trustees to have access to cheap vaccines and veterinary medicines outside the country. For example, ORF vaccine is available in South Africa and is currently not being found in Zimbabwe,” said a Mhangura farmer Mr Aaron Takawira.

Other farmers bemoaned lack of short term financing from banks considering that goats breed faster.

Chingodza, however, said with the advent of the Command Livestock programme his organisation hopes that all farmers can access loans to boost their current flock.

Recently, Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Chief Air Marshal (Retired) Perrance Shiri said Government will provide the farmers access to loans with three to fiveyear tenure at modest all-inclusive rates of four percent.

The Government aims at improving beef and pig slaughter stocks to 450 000 and 250 000 respectively by 2021 while nearly 100 percent increase is targeted in dairy output.

Broiler chickens and table eggs production are estimated to rise through Command Livestock.