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Elita Chikwati Senior Agriculture Reporter

The European Union (EU) funded Value Chain Alliance for Livestock Upgrading and Empowerment (VALUE) will next week officially open the Rushinga Goat Improvement Centre (GIC) which is expected to boost production and improve livelihoods of farmers.

The centre is a primary business hub for small and medium goat producers constructed at a cost of US$24 000 offering various services such as breed improvement, dipping, veterinary drug sales, sale of fodder seed and aggregation of bulk slaughter stock.

The VALUE project has constructed similar centres in 11 other districts; Beitbridge, Binga, Buhera, Chikomba, Chipinge, Gwanda, Lupane, Matobo, Mbire, Mudzi and Nkayi.

VALUE project team leader Mr Newton Chari said the objective of the project was to increase production, productivity, market competitiveness and organisational efficiencies of small to medium producers.

“We have found the Goat Improvement Centres as hubs necessary to contribute to our objective which will ultimately lead to the commercialisation agenda. Importantly these centres are providing platforms for engagements with key stakeholders for the creation of conducive business environments in the districts,” he said.

COSV country director, Mr Tsuro Bore said Rushinga goat farmers had started to realise the utility of the goat improvement centre.

“They are dipping their goats, accessing mating services, drawing lessons on animal nutrition from the fodder plots, and above all, seeing the benefits of collective marketing of goats,” he said.

Rushinga GPBA business development officer, Mr Regis Kasako said they were grateful for the support rendered by the VALUE project and the EU in constructing this centre.

“The centre has addressed various challenges we were facing in the district. We are now dipping our goats, accessing veterinary drugs, growing fodder crops, and selling our goats collectively and directly to consumers. This has increased our profit margins with at least USD3 per goat,” he said.

The VALUE project is part of an EU-funded Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP), a response to tackle challenges within the country’s livestock sector through financial support from the EU amounting to €40 million.
ZAGP is addressing the weaknesses and gaps in livestock value chains to contribute towards increasing productivity, production, and incomes.