VP Mohadi impressed by calibre of livestock at ZAS

Nyore Madzianike

Senior Reporter

VICE PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi has expressed satisfaction with the quality and genetics of livestock on display at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS), saying local breeders were making significant strides towards competing with international breeders.

Speaking during a tour of the agricultural showcase, VP Dr Mohadi said he was particularly impressed by the quality of the animals and the improvements in genetics.

“What impressed me first is the quality of the animals, and also the quality of the stems themselves,” he said.

“They have improved quite a lot, and the animals themselves are different from what we usually see.

“From the smallest animals, likr rabbits, you can find that the genetics of, what do you call him? “The local one? No, the Masango one.

“You see, it’s a mixture of exotic genetics and local genetics, but the product, the product is magnificent; it’s big. It means that we are doing very well.”

VP Dr Mohadi said Zimbabwe was making progress in improving livestock genetics, which could position local breeders to compete on the international market.

“So we are doing very well as Zimbabwe in terms of improving our genetics. So with time, I think we will be competing with international breeders in terms of our livestock, so I am very much impressed,” he said

He also highlighted the growing role of technology in agriculture, saying innovations showcased at ZAS demonstrated the potential of public-private partnerships to transform the sector.

“You know, we have always encouraged PPPs, that is, private-public partnerships,” he said.

“And what we have seen here, the technology has come to play quite an important role.”

VP Dr Mohadi said he was impressed by the use of hydroponics, including systems that integrate fish production with plant cultivation by recycling waste.

“Initially, before we came to this section, we saw how hydroponics were actually used in different ways, where they were actually feeding fish and at the same time taking the ammonia waste back into the plants, and that is something of a kind,” he said.

“I don’t think many people are aware of that and are doing that, so that’s a plus.”

He said technology was also improving animal nutrition through the development of feeds suited to different livestock and age groups.

“There is also a nexus in terms of feeding these animals. We have been introduced to, or we have seen, different kinds of feeds for different kinds of animals and different ages all together.

“That means that we are actually progressing very well technologically. So we are no longer just breeding for the sake of breeding.”

“We are breeding for the international community and we are breeding something that actually gets something into the farmer’s pocket,” he said.

VP Mohadi said agricultural shows were also important platforms for taking developments in livestock genetics and technology to smallholder farmers.

“Well, I think the importance of it all is that we are now able to reach the smallholder farmer out here through these shows,” he said.

“We are talking about the provincial ones and I think it will also be good that we go to district level so that those that are out there get to see how genetics can actually be improved or they can improve their livestock.

“You see, this goes with our mantra which says, leaving no one and no place behind.”

He urged all players in the agricultural sector to contribute towards improving production and ensuring that the benefits of technological advancement and improved genetics reach farmers across the country.

“So we need to get on board each and every individual that is involved in this sector to do the best that they can.”

The Vice President toured the Zanu PF, POTRAZ, Feedmix stands and various stands exhibiting livestock.