The ManicaPost
Manicaland Correspondent
Manicaland has registered a significant decrease in beef supply as farmers continue to battle disease outbreaks and limited funds to combat the diseases.
Provincial Livestock production and development officer, Mr Joshua Zveutete said more than 75 percent of beef in Manicaland comes from the communal farmers who have been failing to acquire enough inputs as well as vaccines for their cattle to improve productivity.
“The harsh economic situation has hindered farmers from increasing production. Vaccines to protect their cattle from diseases are expensive so they have remained vulnerable to various disease outbreaks,” he said.
Molus Meats manager Mr Artwell Mwagura said abbatoirs have faced challenges in acquiring beef cattle from farmers.
“Beef supply has been erratic and the current economic situation has hindered us from attaining the cattle we require,” he said.