Rebuilding Zimbabwean pig herd requires more stockfeed

The Zimbabwean pig herd was devastated by a drought four years ago. In the Herald, PIB director Paul Ndiweni said the organisation was in talks with agro-based companies, pig processing firms, banks, the government among other stakeholders to restore viability to the sector.

 

Ndiweni could not tell how much it would cost to rebuild the Zimbabwean pig herd.

 

“The industry has over the years experienced a decline in production. However, this year the industry has been growing at a faster rate of about 20% in spite of stockfeed shortages,” he said.

 

A strategic step forward is necessary to make sure the sector maintains its growth pace. “The growth of the pig industry depends on the expansion of abattoirs around the country,” he said.

 

In addition, Ndiweni said the PIB was in talks with the Government to ensure that inputs such as maize and soyabeans were available.

 

Ndiweni said the pig producers are being assisted by inputs and funding requirements.

 

Pig processor Colcom was one of the companies that assisted small-scale pig producers to produce on a large scale by providing relevant inputs.

 

• The Herald