Mining giant Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) has partnered the Zimbabwe Agriculture Society (ZAS) in a massive artificial insemination drive set increase livestock population in Manicaland.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be guest of honor at the programme launch set for 20 December at Gandauta Primary School in Chiadzwa.
According to ZAS Chief Executive Officer Dr Anxious Masuka, the programme will entail the creation of Livestock Incubation Centres in Manicaland Province.
“The launch in Manicaland follows previous launches that have been done in Matabeleland, Insiza District with Zimplats and Midlands, Zvishavane, with Mimosa. Outstanding provincial launches are for Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East.
“The launch will witness the first insemination programme as well as unveil the envisaged agricultural development model. Thereafter, this project will be expanded to targeted communities,” he said.
“The programme will entail the creation of Livestock Incubation Centres in Manicaland Province, where training in sustainable livestock rearing and crop production will be undertaken.
“The first phase will target inseminating 6000 semen straws into a livestock population of 3600. This should potentially produce 1 800 bulls and 1 800 heifers. The second phase will increase the total semen straws to 16 000,” said Dr Masuka.
He added that,the first phase of the project focuses on the artificial insemination intervention to improve indigenous cattle genetics, which should improve rural incomes ultimately leading to better livelihoods.
Meanwhile the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS), has for the past six years been involved in the Artificial Insemination (AI) Project drawing a total of 500 straws annually from elite bulls exhibited at the Harare Agricultural Show. ZAS has an agreement with commercial farmers to empower communal farmers through the provision of improved cattle genetics.
