Posts by Staff Writer
Turning off the lights at Kariba
Lake Kariba is the pride of Zimbabwe, an enduring symbol of engineering triumph. The vast man-made reservoir straddling the banks of Zambia and Zimbabwe was built on the Zambezi River. The dam and six floodgates were built between 1955 and 1959 primarily for hydropower generation. However, the El Niño event of 2023 raises concerns about…
Read MoreOutlook for Southern Africa’s climate: key findings from SARCOF-29
The Twenty-Ninth Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-29) was held from August 26 to 28, 2024, in Harare. This forum brought together climate experts from various Southern African Development Community (SADC) National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and the SADC Climate Services Centre (CSC) to assess and forecast climate patterns for the upcoming 2024/2025…
Read MoreZimbabwe cattle traceability scheme celebrates 25 years of service to the livestock industry
The Livestock Identification Trust (LIT) celebrates its 25th year of business this month. The office opened on August 16, 1999 with Dr Mario Beffa as the General Manager and a team of 23 staff members. At an event held to celebrate this milestone achievement, Dr Beffa shared an insight into the Trust’s inception and growth…
Read MorePreparing for future challenges: Strengthening Zimbabwe’s livestock industry post-El Niño
By Selected Seeds Weather is often unpredictable, posing significant challenges for Zimbabwean farmers. Events such as droughts, cyclones, and extreme weather can devastate fertile land, leading to crop failures that adversely affect livelihoods. The El Niño phenomenon in 2023 highlighted these vulnerabilities, bringing unpredictable rains and soaring temperatures that severely impacted the agricultural sector. As…
Read MoreBeef School 2024: Not to be missed
The Zimbabwe Herd Book (ZHB) 12th Annual Beef School is just around the corner, and it’s an event that no serious cattleman or woman can afford to overlook. Scheduled over three days from Tuesday, 17 September to Thursday, 19 September, and held in Bulawayo, this year’s program offers an impressive lineup of experts addressing topics…
Read MoreThe quiet revolution of soil health regeneration using the mighty magic of humble earthworms
Farming stories shared on this platform often focus on large-scale commercial enterprises, offering insights that are fascinating yet distant from many people’s realities. This story, however, is more personal and much closer to home. It is about Daniel, a resident of Harare who has embarked on an inspiring journey into vermiculture—a project that reflects his…
Read MoreBuying a beef bull by AT Stubbs
FROM THE ARCHIVES Buying a beef bull Your day at the bull sale could be one of the most important, from a cattle breeding point of view, that you will spend this year.In the few brief moments of bidding for a bull you may be determining 80 per cent of the genetic future of at…
Read MoreNational Breed Sale continues to beef up our cattle industry
The Zimbabwe Herd Book’s 56th annual National Sale has been and gone. It is one of the most anticipated and important events on our cattle sector’s calendar. Despite Zimbabwe facing the after-effects of an El Niño-induced drought, the show must go on and it did, in the grandest style possible. The sale’s rich tradition and…
Read MoreThe sweet success of Dr Tunga’s farm: Where sustainable agriculture meets profit
By Selected Seeds Nestled in the heart of Zimbabwe’s Lowveld, Dr Tunga’s farm is a beacon of innovation and sustainability. This pioneering farmer has revolutionised his sugarcane farm by harnessing the power of cover crops and pasture to boost his yields, reduce his environmental footprint, and create a thriving value-added business. At the heart of…
Read MorePrivate/public sector partnership vital for livestock sector growth
Zimbabwe’s government pledged to protect and promote stud breeding in recognition of the continuing importance of the stud industry in providing top-quality seed stock to enhance livestock production in the country. This year’s 56th National Breed Sale, held on Friday, July 26, 2024, was officially opened by Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and…
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