Story by John Nhandara
ZIMBABWE is scaling up climate-resilient feed and fodder initiatives as part of efforts to shield the livestock sector from the growing effects of climate change and ensure sustainable animal production.
The country is promoting climate-smart feed supplements and integrated farming systems aimed at guaranteeing a reliable supply of livestock feed, even during periods of adverse weather conditions.
The developments were highlighted during a feed and fodder database handover programme held in Harare on Tuesday, where stakeholders underscored the importance of improving pasture production through drought-tolerant crops such as lucerne.
Information Systems and Data Analytics Expert at the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Mr Leonard Muganda, said improved access to data is critical in strengthening feed management strategies and emergency response systems.
“To address challenges in feed strategies and improve access to data and information, we seek to catalyse interventions that improve the identification and availability of feed resources, strengthen access pathways, and ensure effective response mechanisms during emergencies.”
Efforts to boost feed production are also being supported through targeted projects involving women in agriculture.
African Women in Animal Resources Farming Association (AWARFA) Chairperson, Mrs Jacqueline Gowe said the organisation is implementing a lucerne production programme funded by the African Union.
“As women, we have received funding from the African Union to implement a lucerne production project. The project has already commenced and involves cultivating lucerne, baling it, and supplying it to farmers, particularly dairy farmers in need of high-protein feed.”
A key component of the initiative is the introduction of the Zimbabwe Feed and Fodder Dashboard, a platform expected to provide harmonised, real-time data to support planning and improve responses to climate-related shocks, including El Niño-induced droughts that have previously affected national livestock herds.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Honourable Davis Marapira described the platform as a significant step towards modernising livestock production through technology-driven decision-making.
“This is the birth of a vital national asset, a validated nationally owned data ecosystem for evidence-based decision making and policy formulation across our livestock sector. It resembles the modern technology-driven agriculture sector.”
Zimbabwe is among a select group of African countries implementing the Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) project, which seeks to improve access to affordable, quality feed and fodder as part of broader efforts to strengthen resilience and productivity within the livestock sector.
