New breed of beef, dairy farmers: A game-changer
WITH five months to go before the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Livestock Development Programme ends, most beneficiaries are confident they will solidly establish themselves and succeed after they are weaned off.
The US$11 million USAID-funded programme — whose goal is to increase incomes and food security for 1 800 and 1 200 households involved in beef and dairy farming, respectively — began in 2015 and winds up next year.
Targeting smallholder dairy farmers in Natural Regions Three and Four, including smallholder beef farmers in Natural Regions Four and Five, the programme is run by Fintrac.
It is being implemented in six districts in Manicaland, Midlands and Matabeleland South provinces.
A recent media tour to the beef project sites in Chipinge revealed that the programme has not only improved the livelihoods of rural farmers, but has also equipped them with skills that will leave them in good stead after the programme ends.
Beneficiaries maintain that although they still need to continue acquiring skills for their farming ventures, they are confident they will be able to stand on their own feet after it ends.
Smallholder beef farmers accounted for 3 640 of the 10 000 farmers that directly benefitted from the programme in Chipinge.
Aleck Muchini, a beneficiary from Manesa Village, Ward 3, Chipinge, said the ventures were life-changing.
“Before 2015 when this programme was rolled out, I never entertained thoughts of one day owning these many cattle, let alone a prized heifer. We were taught many aspects of proper cattle rearing and even proper household management,” Muchini, the chairperson of the Budiriro Cattle Producer group, said.
He explained how the group was linked to markets, financial services providers and how they were taught to administer artificial insemination.
They were also taught how to make their own cattle feed, among other good animal husbandry practices.
After working closely with the programme for close to five years, Muchini is confident that group members will be able to put their newly taught skills to good use.
“At first, some of us were sceptical about this programme. We thought we would lose our cattle to fraudsters. Almost five years down the line, I am happy to say that even if the programme closes down, we will be able to stand on our own.”
Added Muchini: “As a group, we managed to get better cattle breeds, we can now artificially inseminate our cows and even help them when they face difficulties during giving birth. The skills that we were taught are worth more than a million dollars, and one cannot ask for more.”
Gender equality
Private companies, non-governmental organisations, the Department of Veterinary Services, the Department of Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services, and other Government departments are also involved in the beef and dairy value chains.
Rhoda Simango, the Ward 3 councillor, also spoke about how the programme has transformed the lives of the beneficiaries in terms of gender awareness and equality.
“Traditionally, cattle rearing and ownership was a preserve of men and was a no-go area for women. This programme has managed to change perceptions and most beneficiaries are now treating women as equals,” Simango said.
Sunungurai Gadha of Matandana Village in Ward 4 said after starting off with six cows, she now boasts 18 cattle.
She is now on the verge of being initiated into the equally lucrative beef-dairy programme.
“Before the introduction of the programme, I lost many cattle due to malnutrition and negligence among other factors. This programme taught us how to make feed and how to take proper care of our cattle. The impressive results are there for everyone to see,” Gadha said.
The low-cost feed is made using urea-treated hay, cactus, molasses, cowpeas stover, velvet bean and sorghum meal.
According to Gadha, she has gathered enough knowledge to sustain her cattle rearing business.
“I can safely say that I can use the knowledge that I got through this programme to earn a decent living. I am currently working towards starting a beef-dairy programme,” added Gadha.
However, Norman Deruko, of Ward 29, Deruko Village, said he still needs more time with the programme.
“First and foremost, I am very grateful for this programme. We were trained on many aspects of cattle rearing. However, the major challenge lies in artificial insemination. Most of us need to be trained on this aspect and if we could have further trainings and access on artificial insemination, then we are home and dry,” Deruko said.
Some of the cows, he said, could not be fertilised easily.
Farmers also do not know where to get the semen.
Fintrac eastern region provincial supervisor Clephas Chikanda said the programme had achieved most of the intended goals.
“This programme targeted drought-prone areas and I am happy to say that we managed to save cattle from the ravages of drought. The beneficiaries now know how to breed cattle and we have also managed to link the farmers with both the suppliers, the markets and financial institutions,” he said.
“As humans, we sometimes resist change. Although it took us time to convince the farmers, I was, in the end, impressed by the high levels of adoption of this programme by the farmers. It is not always easy for people to engage in new ideas.”
He, however, talked about the areas that the programme must improve on.
He said: “Breed improvement is an issue and so is input supply. There is need for us to talk to as many agro-dealers as possible so that they set up base as close to the farmer as possible. Otherwise, like you saw for yourself, this programme is a game-changer.”