Ministry of Agric pem sec Prof Jiri(4th from right) Eu head of cooperation Mr Frank Porte,Lipzim project coordinator Prof Sikhalazo Dube (4th from left) and-other officials
By Lisca Philo
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development celebrated the Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIPS-Zim) project on Wednesday, marking the completion of a four-year initiative aimed at empowering smallholder farmers.
The event, held at Cresta Lodge Msasa , showcased the progress made in improving agricultural practices through climate-smart technologies and resources.
Professor Obert Jiri, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, highlighted the project’s impact on improving the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in dry regions four and five. These areas, often affected by severe drought, benefited from collaboration between researchers, farmers, and stakeholders to deliver sustainable solutions.
Prof Jiri Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture
“The work done by the LIPS-Zim project has significantly strengthened farmers’ resilience, empowered rural communities, and enhanced the livestock sector’s contribution to food security and economic development,” Prof Jiri said during his address.
The project, funded with €5 million from the European Union in 2020, reached over 15,000 farmers across six districts: Mutoko, Buhera, Chiredzi, Beitbridge, Gwanda, Nkayi, Gokwe North, and NyamiNyami.
Pro Jiri further explained that the primary goal of the project was to promote livestock production through climate-smart practices, improve disease surveillance and control, and ultimately raise farmers’ incomes.
EU Head of Cooperation, Franck Porte, praised the farmers’ willingness to innovate, saying, “This project brought together a powerhouse of expertise, from renowned institutions like ILRI, SIRAD, CIMIT, and the University of Zimbabwe, to the dedicated teams of the Department of Veterinary Services and the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS). Also, we cannot forget the farmers themselves.”
The LIPS-Zim initiative successfully registered six new diets for cattle and goats, with support from DR&SS. Additionally, the project invested €90,000 in renovating and equipping provincial veterinary laboratories in Masvingo and Gwanda, as well as the Tsetse Laboratory in Harare.
As part of its capacity-building efforts, the project trained 96 officers from the Department of Veterinary Services and the University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Veterinary Sciences in disease surveillance, analysis, and vaccine production.
Another 110 agricultural extension and veterinary officers received training as trainers to enhance their ability to assist farmers in target districts.
At the event, three farmers shared their experiences, noting significant improvements in productivity, knowledge, and financial stability as a result of the project’s interventions.
