"In 2000 we also had 250 breeders with 20 000 head of cattle but in 2011 we only have 12 breeds and three active societies. We also have only 63 breeders and 5 000 head of beef cattle in Zimbabwe today,” said Dlodlo, who is one of the country’s most prominent commercial beef producers
"We have a serious loss of 13 well-established breeds and 187 experienced and dedicated breeders in Zimbabwe. Our beef herd stands at a mere 15,000 and this is selectively bred herd of pedigree cattle."
He told a conference last week that the country needed new brains to run the Ministry of Agriculture. "You need mentorship to do commercial beef agriculture," said Dlodlo.
"In 2000 it is estimated that there were six million beef cattle in the communal areas," Dlodlo said. "In 2011 it is estimated that there are five million. The number is on the increase again after reaching a low of about four million.
"Some of the challenges facing the commercial beef cattle sector include lack of veld and herd management skills, lack of farming and business skills, as well the absence of capital for infrastructural development in the country.
"Hand-outs have been given annually with no evidence of progress. We need to rid ourselves from this dependency syndrome,” he said.
Dlodlo said the collapse of Zimbabwe's "grading system" had resulted in a "free for all" for commercial and communal beef cattle producers.
"You can't find 'Super Beef' or 'Choice Beef' anymore in local supermarkets," he said.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News
Hand outs are not the answer, this just fuels laziness and breeds corruption. To solve this dilemma the Agricultural ministry needs to develop provincial/area specific educational programmes to educate farmers using their extension workers.
Hand outs are not the answer, this just fuels laziness and breeds corruption. To solve this dilemma the Agricultural ministry needs to develop provincial/area specific educational programmes to educate farmers using their extension workers.