Edgar Vhera Agriculture Specialist Writer
THE European Union (EU) funded value chain alliance for livestock upgrading and empowerment (VALUE) project will today mark the conclusion of a successful five-year tour of duty with the handover of 153 superior pig genetics for sustainability and enhanced quality to 14 farmers in Arcturus.
The farmers were drawn from Mashonaland West and East provinces.
In a recent press release, the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP) said the handover ceremony would take place at the Pig Industry Board (PIB) premises where the pig genetics had been quarantined for three weeks.
“The VALUE Project will today officially hand over 153 superior pig genetics (grandparent sows and boars, F1 gilts) imported from South Africa, to enhance quality breeding programme in Zimbabwe. The project has capacitated over 1 000 registered pork producers to date on good agricultural practices, facilitated establishments of producers’ syndicates, trained women and youth under the weaner to finisher project, decentralised multiplication of superior genetics, initiated research on alternative low-cost feed and procured two trucks for collective action in input procurement and marketing,” said the press release.
The report said imported genetics were collectively purchased by smallholder farmers and the project was part of replacement stock after imports of 244 pig genetics in April 2020.
“The VALUE Project recognised the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in maintaining a healthy and productive pig population. By introducing genetically superior breeding stock, the project aims to address these challenges head-on, facilitating increased reproduction rates, larger litter sizes and healthier piglets. This will lead to improved productivity, profitability and sustainability within the pig farming sector,” VALUE Project interim team leader Pepukai Muchazondida said.
A farmer led institution established by the VALUE project to support pork value chain activities under Mashonaland East production corridor, East Pork Cooperative Company (EPCC) Board Chairperson Mr Hamadziripi Dongo said through this initiative, smallholder farmers showed readiness to sustain the impact of the project through joint importation and leading the multiplier role.
“This will assist in increasing localised access to pigs with enhanced traits, such as improved growth rates, disease resistance and superior meat quality. These superior genetics hold the potential to revolutionise local pig farming practices and significantly improve farmers’ livelihoods,” he said.
PIB Director, Dr Sharai Ncube, said importing of replacement pig genetics was very timely for the institution and smallholder farmers at large.
“It is a game changer for the industry, which will enhance access to superior genetics by small-and medium-scale producers. This will go a long way towards achieving PIB’s mandate of offering quality breeding services to the farming community in Zimbabwe,” Dr Ncube said.
Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (LMAC) Executive Administrator Dr Reneth Mano said this was the second time the VALUE Project facilitated importation of one of the best pork production genetics in the world making it available for the first time to small and medium-scale commercial pork producers in Zimbabwe in the 2019/20 period.
“By closing the gap in the access to superior genetics, the VALUE Project was able to increase the size of sow herd and average productivity of the piggery enterprises of small/medium scale commercial pork producers in Zimbabwe’s major commercial pork producing regions of Mashonaland West and East provinces as well as pockets of excellence in Midlands and Matabeleland provinces,” Dr Mano said.
The VALUE project, which is officially closing this November 2023, is part of the ZAGP and is funded to the tune of €7, 3 million to implement activities in the goat and pork value chains in 20 districts. Under the pork value chain, the project is working in eight districts of Goromonzi, Marondera, Murehwa and Seke in Mashonaland East and Chegutu, Makonde, Mhondoro-Ngezi and Zvimba in Mashonaland West.