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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
The Midlands Province has so far registered 3 000 farmers under Command Livestock programme while verification of potential beneficiaries is ongoing.

Midlands provincial crop and livestock officer, Mrs Madeliner Magwenzi, said there has been an overwhelming response to the Command Livestock programme which was unveiled by the Government.

“Three thousand farmers have registered for the Command Livestock programme across the province. Verification is ongoing and so far we have verified 700 potential beneficiaries. Registration is open for communal, A1 and A2 farmers,” said Mrs Magwenzi.

The programme covers cattle breeding (bulls, heifers and breeding cows), cattle fattening and is meant to revitalise livestock production in the country.

“In terms of verification, the exercise is meant to ascertain if the intended beneficiaries have the requisite infrastructure and capacity for the sector they have shown an interest in. Gweru, Kwekwe and Chirumanzu districts have the highest number of farmers with capacity to embark on the programme.”

Mrs Magwenzi said the Command Livestock programme has come at an opportune time as farmers are looking at diversifying their work in the face of a changing climate.

“We are excited that the programme is incorporating farmers with various sizes of land. While crops may not perform better according the seasonal predictions, livestock remains a viable option.

“This will assist in maintaining stable household food and nutrition security,” she said.

Government launched Command Livestock following massive success of the Command Agriculture programme that started in 2016.