Govt Pushes Climate-Smart Cattle Breeding With 25,000 Semen Straws
The Government has set a target of producing 25,000 semen straws this year to promote indigenous cattle breeding and strengthen climate resilience in Zimbabwe’s livestock sector.
The initiative was announced at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) 2025 in Harare and supports the Livestock Growth Plan under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030.
Zimbabwe aims to grow its national cattle herd from 5.5 million to 6 million by 2025.
Officials say the focus is on strengthening breeds such as Mashona, Nguni and Tuli, which are better suited to harsh conditions and smallholder farming.
A semen straw is a small, sealed tube containing bull semen used for artificial insemination.
It allows farmers to access improved genetics without owning a bull, helping boost productivity while reducing disease risks.
In his address at the ZAS, Director of Livestock Research, Mr Andrew Chamisa, said indigenous breeds are key to sustainable farming.
“We are promoting our indigenous breeds because they are climate smart. With climate change, issues of food and water are becoming scarce.
“These breeds are adapted to local conditions and they will help farmers sustain production under challenging environments,”he said.
The ministry is producing semen straws at research centres including Matobo, Makoholi, Grasslands and Henderson.
“The prices are lower because we want to promote local breeds and ensure that smallholder farmers can access improved genetics without prohibitive costs,” Chamisa said.
To support the programme, the Government is also promoting low-cost feeding methods such as urea-treated stover.
Farmers are being trained to turn crop residues into livestock feed to reduce reliance on expensive supplements.
The breeding initiative is part of a broader plan to build a productive and climate-resilient herd that supports food security and rural incomes.
“Ultimately, our thrust is to make sure farmers are cushioned against climate shocks while preserving our heritage breeds,” Chamisa said.
-The Herald
