Zimbabwe and New Zealand Collaborate to Drive Climate-Smart Livestock Innovation

By Ilyana Sithole

MAZOWE – As part of the country’s major thrust towards a greener, cleaner future for Zimbabwe’s crucial livestock industry, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries launched an historic climate-smart livestock innovation workshop this morning. The Livestock Sector Mitigation Assessment Stakeholder Engagement Workshop that was conducted in Mazowe Hotel in Mashonaland Central Province gathered a vibrant array of stakeholders and charted the course of the sector.

Spearheaded by the Department of Livestock Research under the visionary leadership of Director Mr. Andrew Chamisa and convened under the Agriculture Research Innovation and Specialist Services (ARISS) Directorate, the workshop seeks to critically review current livestock and climate policy in response to reviewing current best bet practices that are sufficiently effective to be upscaled for use in informing national sustainable agricultural strategies.

In his opening address, Mr. Chamisa pointed out the pivotal position of the livestock sector in contributing not only a key role in being a significant 40% of national greenhouse gases (GHG) and 44% of national methane emissions but also to producing food and nutrition for the country. He stated the commitment of the government to investing in the livestock industry to address a growing population’s needs, a vision supported by the ambitious Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan.

“The Government of Zimbabwe gives priority to the adoption of sustainable livestock production to mitigate methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management,” said Mr. Chamisa’s in his address. He emphasized major strategies such as good agricultural practice such as regenerative grazing, feeding, breeding, and health management, and effective utilization of resources.

The collaboration with the New Zealand Government is an important shot in the arm of experience and assistance. New Zealand, with its robust agricultural industry and increasing emphasis on climate-smart interventions, is working together on a comprehensive GHG mitigation and cost-benefit analysis. This is all entirely aligned with Zimbabwe’s Climate Smart Agriculture agenda and is a mutual interest in minimizing the environmental footprint of livestock production.

Mr. Chamisa also referred to the need for fostering research and innovation to develop new sustainable technologies and practices, identifying alternative feeds and feed additives for emission reduction, and carrying out education and outreach programs that are comprehensive for farmers and stakeholders. He also highlighted the need for supportive policy regimes, including possible carbon pricing schemes and subsidies for climate-friendly practices.

Yet another of the highlights of Mr. Chamisa’s speech was incorporating livestock mitigation measures in Zimbabwe’s newly established NDC 3.0 and, as a preliminary target, to cut emissions from livestock by 7% (2000 Gg CO2 eqv) by 2035. He encouraged all the participants to bring with them current projects in their companies that drive this important emission reduction goal, and stressed national planning towards these goals.

“It is my belief that if these interventions are identified, legislated, and regulated, then they will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the livestock industry, promote a more resilient and sustainable agricultural industry during climate change,” Mr. Chamisa stated.

He added his appreciation to the wide range of stakeholders including local and international consultants, farmer members, development partners, academics, private sector players, as well as media representatives, who joined in person at Mazowe Hotel or participated online.

The Livestock Sector Mitigation Assessment Stakeholder Engagement Workshop is a highlight of Zimbabwe’s journey towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient livestock sector. Joint cooperation and collective commitment by national and global stakeholders are a great omen for the future course of balancing food security with sustainability. The outputs of this workshop are set to make a major input into future agriculture strategies and Zimbabwe’s national climate ambition goal.