A diamond in the rough: Zimbabwe’s untapped potent...

A diamond in the rough: Zimbabwe’s untapped potential in goat farming

Audrey Galawu

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Beneath the golden plains of Zimbabwe grazes a wealth waiting to be unearthed - a bounty of bleating, four-legged promise: goat farming. While the demand for goat meat soars, this sector remains a land of unfulfilled potential, a shimmering diamond yet to be fully polished.

Millions of goats roam the country, a testament to the ideal climate and landscape Zimbabwe offers for their flourishing. Yet, the national herd slumbers, its growth stunted. Here lies the paradox: a treasure trove brimming with possibilities, yet largely confined to subsistence farming by smallholder families.

Chief Masimba Biriwasha, a leading expert in goat farming, laments the stagnant figures. “These statistics never change,” he sighs, highlighting a crucial roadblock - a knowledge gap as wide as the sprawling savannas. Traditional methods, limited disease control, and high mortality rates plague the industry.

For generations, goat farming has shouldered the burden of societal stigma, relegated to the realm of the impoverished. But a gentle shift is stirring. The winds of change are carrying whispers of a new dawn, where goats are no longer merely a source of sustenance, but a pathway to prosperity.

“Knowledge is the foundation,” Biriwasha proclaims, his voice echoing the yearning for a paradigm shift. Equipping farmers with modern practices is the lifeblood of formalising this sector. He paints a picture of a vibrant, standardised industry, a stark contrast to the current “free-for-all” scenario.

The versatility of the goat, capable of producing a multitude of income streams, remains largely untapped. From meat to milk to even hides, the potential is vast. However, the dispersed nature of these farms makes market access a hurdle, driving up transaction costs.

“Goat farming lacks the infrastructure enjoyed by its livestock cousins,” Biriwasha observes. Unlike the established systems for cattle or poultry, goat farming remains on the fringes. This marginalisation hinders farmers, leaving them ill-equipped to capitalise on the burgeoning market.

Perhaps the most significant challenge lies not in resources, but in mindset. Many smallholders find comfort in the status quo, content with goats serving a domestic purpose. But Biriwasha urges them to dream bigger, to see the goats not just as a safety net, but as a springboard to a brighter future.

The path to commercialisation is paved with improved husbandry practices, leading to higher quality meat and lower mortality rates. This transformation hinges on a collaborative effort, where the government provides fertile ground for growth and the private sector recognises the long-term potential of this industry.

Formalisation promises not just economic benefits, but also a safer food system. The spectre of unregulated channels, where concerns about animal health linger, can be dispelled by a structured market system. Transparency and fair pricing will empower both buyers and sellers.

As the global conversation on food systems intensifies, the humble goat deserves a place at the table. With newfound knowledge and a shift in perspective, Zimbabwe’s goat farming sector can finally shed its rough exterior and emerge as the gleaming diamond it has the potential to be. The bleats of millions can soon become a symphony of progress, a testament to a nation that unlocked the hidden wealth within its grasp.