Hardy cattle boost Zimbabwean farmers’ income | FAO

Pilat Moyo, a farmer and village chief in Lupane Lupaka district, recalls that when he was first invited to join the project, he was skeptical because it offered no free assistance beyond repairing communal resources (soaking ponds, boreholes and sales fences) and providing training in livestock production and health. “However, the knowledge I gained represented the beginning of a better life for me and my family,” he says.

FAO’s livestock projects work to improve the policy and institutional environment for the livestock sector across Zimbabwe and beyond; enhance animal health and productivity, thereby improving market competitiveness and incomes; and increase the contribution of livestock assets to food and nutrition security.

The project places particular emphasis on reducing livestock mortality and morbidity (particularly animals affected by foot-and-mouth disease, anthrax and tick-borne diseases) and on training field extension workers.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are responsible for a large number of cattle deaths, accounting for 65% of cattle mortality in Zimbabwe. Currently, intensive dipping is the only control measure against the disease. “For years, we have had inconsistent dipping of cattle in our dipping ponds,” said Moyo. Some farmers in the village resorted to physically removing ticks or applying used motor oil to minimize tick damage to livestock. Either way, the health and safety of the animals is compromised.

Due to a lack of funds and technical expertise, repairing the Mkhosi dip tank, which is in a very poor condition, remains an impossible challenge for farmers. FAO and its partners provided materials and technical expertise, while the community helped with the manual labour. “We are happy to contribute to the repair of the dip tank because we know we will benefit from it,” Moyo said.

As part of the project, some community members were recruited and trained as veterinary assistants to identify and manage common livestock diseases. FAO also supported the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in procuring vaccines, which farmers received on a partial cost-recovery basis, with the funds being placed in a community revolving fund for use in subsequent years.

Strengthening livestock production to improve livelihoods
Although the Moyos have not yet started selling their cattle, they have already noticed a change. “The ticks and wounds that killed our cattle are now a thing of the past,” Moyo said.

There are approximately 220 households and 2,000 cattle in Lupaka District. Veterinary kits worth US$600 were provided to farmers, which contain scalpels, syringes, needles, kraft paper, dehorning irons, elastic rubber bands and applicators and dosing guns. These kits are used to ensure that routine livestock management activities such as dehorning, castration and deworming are carried out effectively.

Inspire new business ideas
Moyo’s family owns 16 cows, eight goats and a few chickens, most of which are local breeds. “The training not only helped me raise hardy cattle, but also changed my way of thinking. Instead of focusing on subsistence farming, I plan to produce for a larger market,” Moyo added.

He is quick to stress that livestock are family assets, so when and where to sell them must be decided jointly by both parties. To complement livestock farming, the family also has a vegetable garden and sells tomatoes.

Moyo’s wonderful story is just one of many that have emerged since the project was launched, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the food, nutrition and income security of smallholder farmers in the two districts of Lupane and Nkayi. Moreover, the lessons learned in these two districts can be replicated throughout the country, where livestock is an important part of the agricultural system.