News / Local
Zimbabwe goes digital in livestock management
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The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has officially launched the National Livestock Stock Card Initiative in Chidziva Village, Bindura, aiming to transform the livestock industry through digital record-keeping and improved data analysis.
The initiative seeks to modernise Zimbabwe's livestock sector, valued at approximately US$2 billion, by providing farmers with a digital platform to monitor the health, breeding, market access, and resource management of their animals. This effort is expected to support millions of livelihoods dependent on livestock farming.
Addressing local farmers during the launch, Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri emphasised the importance of accurate and secure record-keeping for the country's estimated 5.7 million cattle.
"First, the digital platform will enable farmers to keep a safer records database of the number of our cattle and also have a record of what is happening within our cattle industry. What is the level of diseases? How are we dealing with it?" said Prof Jiri.
He added that the initiative represents a critical step towards integrating technology with traditional farming practices, planting a "seed for a future where technology and tradition co-exist."
"This is where our livestock sector flourishes and where Zimbabwe's farmers lead Africa's agrarian revolution," Prof Jiri stated.
The Permanent Secretary also stressed the importance of the National Dipping Programme, urging farmers to dip their cattle at every scheduled session and at designated dip tanks to prevent the spread of diseases.
"No undipped cattle will be tolerated, as it poses a risk to the entire livestock population," he warned. "The law states that farmers who do not dip their cattle must be prosecuted. All farmers are required to pay their dipping fees, as the National Dipping Programme belongs to farmers and its success hinges on your contributions."
Prof Jiri further called on farmers to verify the accuracy of their livestock census data by ensuring all animals are registered on the stock cards, strengthening the overall management and sustainability of the livestock sector.
This new digital initiative marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe's efforts to modernise agriculture and enhance productivity in the livestock industry.
The initiative seeks to modernise Zimbabwe's livestock sector, valued at approximately US$2 billion, by providing farmers with a digital platform to monitor the health, breeding, market access, and resource management of their animals. This effort is expected to support millions of livelihoods dependent on livestock farming.
Addressing local farmers during the launch, Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri emphasised the importance of accurate and secure record-keeping for the country's estimated 5.7 million cattle.
"First, the digital platform will enable farmers to keep a safer records database of the number of our cattle and also have a record of what is happening within our cattle industry. What is the level of diseases? How are we dealing with it?" said Prof Jiri.
He added that the initiative represents a critical step towards integrating technology with traditional farming practices, planting a "seed for a future where technology and tradition co-exist."
"This is where our livestock sector flourishes and where Zimbabwe's farmers lead Africa's agrarian revolution," Prof Jiri stated.
The Permanent Secretary also stressed the importance of the National Dipping Programme, urging farmers to dip their cattle at every scheduled session and at designated dip tanks to prevent the spread of diseases.
"No undipped cattle will be tolerated, as it poses a risk to the entire livestock population," he warned. "The law states that farmers who do not dip their cattle must be prosecuted. All farmers are required to pay their dipping fees, as the National Dipping Programme belongs to farmers and its success hinges on your contributions."
Prof Jiri further called on farmers to verify the accuracy of their livestock census data by ensuring all animals are registered on the stock cards, strengthening the overall management and sustainability of the livestock sector.
This new digital initiative marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe's efforts to modernise agriculture and enhance productivity in the livestock industry.
Source - the herald
