Mombe yehumai: Building on cultural heritage with modern science to pioneer sustainable dairy farming in Zimbabwe

Agriculture will fail if it does not work towards improving the lives of the local community

At Doonside Farm, Mutorashanga, Dr Percy Sharp, in collaboration with farm owner Mark Hook, is developing a sustainable dairy enterprise that builds upon the visionary work of the late Dr Japie Jackson while honouring Zimbabwe's rich cultural traditions.

The cultural foundation

At the heart of this project lies the Shona tradition of "mombe yehumai" (the mother-in-law's cow). This cultural practice forms an important part of the broader marriage custom known as lobola (roora), where the groom's family provides a specific cow designated for the bride's mother.

This cow holds special significance as it:

• Symbolises deep respect for the mother-in-law who raised the bride
• Acknowledges her role in bringing up a daughter worthy of marriage
• Establishes a positive relationship between son-in-law and mother-in-law
• Provides the mother-in-law with a personal productive asset under her ownership

Unlike other elements of lobola that might be shared among family members, this particular cow belongs solely to the mother-in-law, giving her autonomy and a tangible benefit from her daughter's marriage.

From cultural symbol to economic asset

The late Dr Japie Jackson conceptualised an approach to maximise the value of this traditional cow as both a nutritional and economic resource. He saw this cow as key to livestock development in small-scale farming areas, suggesting a practical allocation of resources:

• One teat's milk for the family
• One teat's milk for its calf
• Two teats' milk for sale (as fresh milk or lacto/maas)

With proper management, a cow producing around 10 litres of milk daily could provide essential nutrition for the family while generating income from surplus milk. Dr Jackson aptly called the communal cow "the nerve centre" of the rural cattle economy, while acknowledging that "her handicap is almost insurmountable" under traditional practices.

Building on this foundation

Building on Dr Jackson's vision, Dr Sharp is pioneering a more sustainable approach to dairy farming, focusing on two powerful pillars: locally adapted dairy cattle and regenerative pasture management.

"One primary target will be the well-known and successful concept of providing rural households with one cow each to provide much needed protein for their families and generate income from the sale of surplus milk to their community," explains Dr Sharp.

The project explores integrating the traditional Shona custom of "Mombe Yehumai" into their distribution model, honouring cultural heritage while addressing nutritional and economic needs.

Rather than importing expensive, high-maintenance exotic dairy breeds that struggle in tropical conditions, Dr Sharp is developing a crossbreed specifically suited for Zimbabwe's challenging climate.

The breeding strategy combines:

• The hardiness and adaptability of indigenous Mashona cattle for the sire line
• The milk production capabilities of proven dairy breeds like New Zealand KiwiCross (a Friesian-Jersey cross), Holstein, and Red Dane

"Scientists involved in monitoring similar work maintain that the optimum percentage of indigenous genetics required in these cattle to get functionally adapted profitable cows is 35%," notes Dr Sharp, highlighting the science-based approach guiding their breeding decisions.

“The concept of a locally tropically adapted dairy animal has been pursued in many other locations all over the world and we have put a lot of effort into learning from their experiences. One has been in Central America and of relevance to us because the Mashona breed has played a large role in their programmes. Scientists involved in monitoring this work maintain that the optimum percentage of indigenous genetics required in these cattle to get functionally adapted profitable cows is 35%. We are working towards this and will start using more and more of our own bulls in our breeding decisions.”

This "mombe yehumai" breed combines advantageous traits:

• Small-framed body requiring less feed
• Heat tolerance for Zimbabwe's climate
• Tick and disease resistance
• Ability to thrive on low-protein pastures
• Short, slick coat from the Mashona genetics
• Efficient milk production from the dairy genetics

Since 2019, Bargrove Surgery has been assisting with embryo transplants using imported Jersey cross KiwiCross embryos from New Zealand. The farm employs various breeding technologies, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer, to accelerate genetic progress. In early 2023 alone, the team produced 59 embryos using their crossbred bulls and purebred New Zealand dairy cows, with 23 pregnancies established.

Regenerative Agriculture

Equally important to the breeding programme is Doonside Farm’s commitment to regenerative agricultural principles, which Mark Hook implemented five years ago to establish a sustainable pasture system for the dairy enterprise.

"The cost of feeding dairy cows is the major cost in producing milk, and our aim is to keep this as low as possible by adopting a grazing-based system," Dr Sharp emphasises.

This approach not only reduces costs but improves soil health, increases biodiversity, and creates more resilient pastures that can withstand climate fluctuations.

Addressing the challenges of traditional practices

The traditional communal cow can face numerous obstacles limiting her productivity:

• Nutritional deficiencies from inadequate grazing
• Poor housing conditions in traditional night kraaling
• Limited breeding success due to undernourishment
• High calf mortality from poor nutrition and harsh conditions
• Inefficient milking practices that miss prime grazing times

Transforming a regular communal cow into a true "mombe yehumai" requires neither expensive breeds nor complex technology, but rather a shift in management practices: prioritising nutrition using locally available alternatives such as stover, indigenous pods and homemade silage, alongside basic welfare and health systems.

While pasture forms the foundation of their feeding strategy, the team recognises the need for supplementary feed during lean periods. Their approach focuses on locally available resources:

Utilising natural tree pod products gathered by surrounding communities

Developing small-scale silage production methods accessible to small-scale farmers

Exploring ways to preserve abundant seasonal forage that would otherwise go to waste

The team is particularly excited about testing small-batch silage production using specially designed plastic bags that can be hand-filled with chopped forage, a technique that could be transformative for small-scale dairy farmers without access to expensive equipment.

“During the growing season there is abundant wasted green forage growing in areas where grazing it is not possible. i.e., alongside roads and on the verges of crop fields. Making it into silage could be a way of utilising it to feed one or two dairy cows at very little cost except the labour to do it. The small batches of silage can also be fed without the spoilage encountered when large pits or stacks of silage are opened and exposed to air.”

As Mark Hook says, “The reason why we chose KiwiCross is because traditionally they are brought up on grass pastures instead of only being fed out of a bag. A big part of their diet is grass and and that is why we have gone with our regenerative pastures.”

Progress and Achievements

The project has already reached several important milestones:

• 2019: Acquisition of initial Holstein heifers and implementation of crossbreeding programme
• 2020: Birth of 35 calves from imported New Zealand embryos and construction of mobile dairy parlour
• 2022: First purebred New Zealand cattle and 75% dairy/25% Mashona cows entered production
• 2022: Completion of milk processing facility, enabling direct sales and income generation
• 2023: Advanced embryo transfer programme creating the next generation of adapted dairy cattle

There are now approximately 150 offspring of various ages in this breeding pool, producing animals with one-third to one-quarter Mashona blood.

As Dr Japie Jackson eloquently stated, when a communal cow receives proper care: "That cow, we can say, is now emancipated. She has taken on a new status. Her worth to the family has now been quadrupled."

This transformation affects not just the cow but the entire family dependent on her. The true "mombe yehumai" becomes an engine of rural development, creating a virtuous cycle of improved nutrition, income generation, and asset accumulation.

The team is now seeking investment to scale their operations and accelerate the availability of these specially adapted dairy cattle to farmers across Zimbabwe. Their vision extends beyond Doonside Farm to transforming rural livelihoods through sustainable dairy production.

Dr Sharp's pioneering work represents a holistic approach to agricultural development – one that honours indigenous genetics, embraces modern breeding technology, respects traditional cultural practices, and commits to environmental sustainability through regenerative agriculture.

As climate challenges intensify and food security concerns grow across Africa, this model of locally adapted, sustainable dairy production could prove to be a valuable blueprint for agricultural resilience across the continent.

The feature photo of this article is what Dr Percy, Dr Bruce and Mark Hook believe to be the perfect Mombe Yehumai. The heifer, in calf, is ¼ Mashona, ¾ NZ Dairy 1/4 Mashona, 3/4 NZ dairy