Staff Reporter
Goat farmers in Matabeleland South Province are beginning to see major gains from the Esigodini Agricultural College’s livestock innovation hub, as high-quality bucks are distributed to farmer field schools to improve breeding and boost incomes.
This game-changing development is part of a wider Government initiative aimed at helping communal farmers build resilience to climate change while improving the quality and marketability of their livestock.
Through a strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Esigodini Agricultural College has been equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure and technical expertise, setting up a strong foundation for sustainable livestock production.
In an interview with the media yesterday, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Davis Marapira, commended the impact of the hub.
“This programme is a catalyst for change. By improving goat bloodlines, we’re not just helping farmers earn more; we are opening doors to international markets and supporting the vision of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.
According to Esigodini Agricultural College Principal Farai Gomo, the project began in 2023 and will continue until 2027.
“We have already trained farmers and extension staff in goat management, and by the end of the project, we expect a complete transformation in local breeding practices,” he said.
Already, six farmer field schools have benefitted from the project, receiving top-tier breeding bucks to improve the genetics of their herds. Early results are promising.
“We are excited to have received this buck. It has already started making a difference. We now have 250 goats and 40 kids that are a direct result of this new breeding programme,” said Ms Sikhumbulile Dube, representing the Queen of the Reds Goat Project.
Another farmer noted that poor-quality breeds had previously fetched low prices at market.
“Our goats were being sold for little because of their size and appearance. With this buck, we’re confident we’ll have stronger, more marketable animals,” he said.
The innovation hub is poised to reach even more farmers, with plans to supply high-quality bucks to 21 field schools across the province.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader climate adaptation strategy, which aims to empower small-scale farmers through modern technology and education. The innovation hub includes a fully equipped laboratory for feed analysis and a state-of-the-art goat production centre, all aligned with Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 model—a push to turn research and innovation into practical solutions for national development.
With this momentum, hopes are high that more small-scale farmers will be included in the programme, further revitalising livestock production in the region.
