Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE government has revealed that the agricultural sector is projected to grow by 50% by the year 2030 owing to the sector’s implementation plans.
The remarks were made by the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development deputy minister Davis Marapira at the official opening of the two-day Livestock Conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Thursday.
The conference ran under the theme Advancing Livestock Value Chains for Economic Development.
Marapira revealed that the country has embarked on an ambitious journey guided by the agriculture food systems and rural transformation strategy.
“The strategy is our comprehensive roadmap for transforming the country’s agricultural sector from a US10,3 billion industry by 2025 to a projected US$15,8 billion industry by 2030,” he said.
“We anticipate this growth of 50% between now and 2030. We have four years to fully implement these strategies.”
Marapira pointed out that the country is moving towards focusing on a holistic agricultural food system approach and rural transformation strategy.
“We are focusing on five key impact areas, which are food security and food severity, nutrition security and improved livelihoods, agriculture-based economy and economic development, land and tenure security.
“The livestock sector is a critical engine for all these areas.”
The deputy minister underscored the need for farmers to reflect on their achievements.
“The national cattle herd has grown to over 5,8 million.
“Milk production has increased significantly to 114 million litres a year and our poultry sector has shown commendable growth.”
He noted that the presidential agriculture inputs programme will help rural transformation and the foundation of commercial production.
Marapira also revealed that they are fully aware of the climate change as well as the effects of droughts.
“The outbreak of disease such as the January Disease is a challenge to our market,” he said.
“These challenges demand that we build a resilient productive and commercial-oriented
livestock sector.”
Farmers were advised to take advantage of such meetings to discuss solutions to their challenges such as how to mitigate the effects of drought in connection with their sector.
Marapira further urged farmers to consider the issue of animal genetics, noting that they should know which animals are suitable for their areas.
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