Beef cattle production and management
Practical Action
Baseline information
The following information was collected from workshop participants who included smallholder
farmer representatives from the 11 wards in the district, Agricultural Extension Officers,
Veterinary Officers, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) operating in the district and the
Mbire Rural District Council leadership. The information below was collected through dialogue,
individuals and group presentations:
Farmers' challenges to beef cattle production, management and
marketing:
1. Lack of technical know - how on appropriate beef cattle
management practices
2. Prevalence of diseases resulting in high mortality rates for
cattle. Common diseases include:
a) Trypanosomosis
b) Redwater
c) Blackleg
d) Anthrax
e) Anaplasmosis
f) Bloat
3. Poor availability of dipping and handling facilities
4. Unavailability of veterinary services and medicines
5. Lack of markets
6. Burning of stover
7. Stock theft
8. Unavailability of pastures during the dry season (August -
November)
9. Lack of water
10. Poor beef cattle prices as buyers dictate prices
11. Counterfeit drugs finding their way into the community
Challenges facing support institutions:
1. Lack of transport for effective extension delivery and
support
2. Poor adoption of innovation by farmers
3. Destruction of tsetse control equipment by some local
people
4. Lack of in-service training due to unavailability of funds
5. Qualified personnel are not prepared to work in the Zambezi
Valley due to geographical marginalisation and harsh
weather conditions
6. High staff turn - over
7. Poor communication systems in place thereby delaying swift
extension delivery
8. Very high farmer - agent ratio resulting in most farmers not
getting extension support at all
9. Very low staff motivation resulting in reduced morale and
poor service delivery
10. Lack of accommodation for staff due to the above, and other
reasons.
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