VICE President, Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga has launched the Presidential Heifer Pass-On Scheme in Manicaland province, with the initial phase targeting farmers who have lost cattle to January disease.
This Monday Vice President, Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga handed over the first batch of heifers from the Presidential Heifer Pass-On Scheme to farmers in Buhera and Gutu districts where the highest number have succumbed to Theileriosis, otherwise known as January disease.
“The Presidential Heifer Pass-On Scheme seeks to restore and guarantee household food security and nutrition to the vulnerable members of our society who lost their entire herds of cattle to the dreaded January disease. This scourge is transmitted by brown ear ticks. Tens of thousands of cattle have died from this disease with Manicaland and Masvingo being the hardest hit provinces hence their selection as the first beneficiaries of this noble programme.
The scheme is anticipated to be revolving, as all initial and subsequent beneficiary farmers are expected to pass on the heifer progeny to the next group of beneficiaries. It will be rolled out to other districts across the country as more heifers are made available in order to ensure continuity of the scheme,” he said.
Lands, agriculture, water and rural resettlement Minister, Retired Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri said it is the duty of every farmer to contribute to the national herd.
“We have been moving around with the wheat and small grains campaign but today we have come to Manicaland with the livestock programme which we anticipate will multiply livestock that will further feed into the national herd. Each and every farmer must play a role,” he said.
The Ministries of Energy and Power Development, as well as that of Finance and Economic development, are rallying behind farmers.
Manicaland province Minister of State, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba thanked the government for the livestock programme.
The 194 cattle handed over to Buhera and Gutu are the first batch of 600 heifers bought by President Emerson Mnangagwa from Baba Mutumwa Noah Taguta, a Chipinge livestock farmer.
