Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of lands, agriculture, fisheries, water and rural development, Obert Jiri, has called for accelerated adoption of modern technologies in livestock management to boost productivity and help Zimbabwe achieve its Vision 2030 targets.
Prof Jiri made the remarks on the sidelines of a field day held at Kunzani Farm under Komani Estate in Mazowe District, where farmers were introduced to innovative livestock management systems designed to improve efficiency and sustainability.
He highlighted the importance of embracing digital tools such as the Farm Ranger system, which is transforming livestock production through real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making.
“The Farm Ranger tool is a critical tool for management, allowing the farmer to track movement and what the livestock does on the farm,” said Prof Jiri.
The system enables farmers to monitor livestock movement, manage dipping schedules, control grazing patterns and secure farm boundaries. This helps reduce stock theft, improve disease control and enhance overall herd productivity.
Prof Jiri said adoption of such technologies is essential as Zimbabwe moves to modernise its agricultural sector in response to climate change, rising input costs and the need for increased output.
He noted that traditional livestock management practices are no longer sufficient to sustain growth in a competitive and evolving agricultural environment.
“We must modernise livestock production systems to ensure efficiency, sustainability and increased output,” he said.
Farmers who attended the field day welcomed the innovation, saying the technology would help address persistent challenges such as cattle rustling, poor record-keeping and limited access to timely livestock data.
Agricultural experts present at the event said the integration of technology into livestock systems would enhance decision-making, reduce losses and improve profitability, particularly for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
The field day is part of broader efforts to promote knowledge-sharing, innovation and capacity building within the farming community.
The push for modernisation of agriculture also dovetails with the country’s National Development Strategy 2, which prioritises increased agricultural productivity, climate resilience and the adoption of technology-driven solutions to drive economic growth and support the attainment of Vision 2030.
