Ardas Pushes Major Livestock Boost With 632 000-Goat Rollout

AGRICULTURE and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) has reiterated Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening goat production nationwide through the continuation of the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme.

Introduced in 2022, the initiative supports Rural Development 8.0 and contributes to the national vision of attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030. The programme’s target is to distribute 632 000 improved-genetic goats to communities across Zimbabwe.

Under the scheme, each of the country’s 35 000 villages is set to receive one high-quality buck and 17 does, which will be passed on to vulnerable households under village leadership structures.

During a monitoring visit in Wedza, Ardas Director Mr Leonard Munamati emphasised that the programme goes beyond increasing livestock numbers it is also about upgrading the genetic quality of goats to help transform rural livelihoods.

“Our aim is to boost both the quantity and the quality of goats, and this programme is crafted to achieve that,” he said.

He added that improved male goats will be given to village heads and headmen, who will manage controlled breeding with local does so that communities can gradually build stronger, more productive herds. According to Mr Munamati, this systematic cross-breeding will significantly improve goat standards, strengthen household incomes, and open opportunities for farmers to participate in commercial markets.

The wider objective is to ensure timely access to improved goat breeds for households, enhancing food security and promoting income-generating activities in rural communities. Early results already show positive change, with many farmers increasingly viewing goats as a viable and sustainable source of economic empowerment.

Zimbabwe continues to experience the effects of climate change including droughts, floods, pest outbreaks and food shortages which have increased the vulnerability of rural households. In response, Government, through the Livestock Growth Plan, is prioritising climate resilience strategies for smallholder farmers.

Goats, which are better suited to harsh conditions due to their browsing ability and adaptability, are considered a strategic livestock species capable of thriving under changing climatic conditions.