ZFFMSP Targets US$25 Billion Livestock Sector Through Feed and Fodder Transformation

Zimbabwe’s Feed and Fodder Multi-stakeholder Platform has launched a strategy to build a US$25 billion livestock sector by 2030 (image source)

The Zimbabwe Feed and Fodder Multi-stakeholder Platform (ZFFMSP) has outlined a plan to transform the livestock sector into a US$25 billion industry by placing feed and fodder systems at the centre of national productivity, resilience and export competitiveness. The strategy responds to vulnerabilities exposed by recent climate shocks and positions livestock as a key driver of rural livelihoods and economic growth.

During a breakfast meeting in Harare, ministry officials and sector leaders presented a roadmap linking improved feed systems to national production targets. Obert Jiri, secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, noted that government aims to raise the national herd from about 5.74 million to 6.6 million cattle by 2030, increase broiler output to 362,000 metric tonnes and boost milk production to 200 million litres. Achieving these milestones depends on securing reliable feed sources, scaling irrigated fodder production and strengthening water infrastructure.

The platform’s strategy prioritises drought-resistant crops, decentralised fodder production and effective use of Zimbabwe’s extensive water assets, including more than 10,000 dams and a Presidential target of 35,000 rural boreholes. By shifting farmers from rain-fed dependence to irrigated systems, the plan aims to stabilise feed supply, cut seasonal livestock losses and reduce production costs.

Recent climate impacts have underscored the urgency of the initiative. The 2023–24 El Niño drought resulted in the loss of nearly 10,000 cattle, and almost half of rural wards reported pasture shortages by mid-2024. ZFFMSP chairperson Nathaniel Makoni said the shocks highlight the need for coordinated action across seed systems, water management, feed markets and value-chain development. He said the US$25 billion vision is attainable with sustained investment and shared commitment.

Government departments expressed support for scaling drought-tolerant seed distribution, irrigation expansion and extension services. The strategy promotes public-private partnerships, quality assurance frameworks and opportunities for private capital to invest in feed and fodder systems. Regional experts echoed the need for continent-wide scaling, with AU-IBAR’s Sarah Ashanut Ossiya advocating stronger institutional systems that enhance trade, environmental health and biosecurity.

Implementation will rely on governance, financing and consistent monitoring. Planned interventions include hub-and-spoke models linking fodder production hubs with surrounding communities, processing and aggregation points, and export-ready standards. Transparent collaboration, infrastructure investment and farmer capacity building will be vital for success.

If fully realised, the ZFFMSP strategy could reshape Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape by strengthening food security, expanding rural employment and positioning livestock as a competitive regional export. The priority now is moving from targets to tangible delivery through climate-resilient practices, coordinated investment and integrated markets.