The technical mission focused on evaluating the performance of cactus plots established about a year ago using planting material supplied by the Matopos Research Institute while equipping farmers with improved agronomic skills, including correct plant spacing, soil fertility management, weed control and scientific monitoring of biomass production.
Herald Reporter SCIENTIFIC research is driving a new phase of climate-smart dairy farming in drought-prone Mudzi District, where women-led dairy enterprises are adopting spineless cactus as a sustainable livestock feed to cushion their herds against recurrent dry spells.
Confirmed details from the source coverage
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen climate adaptation among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe’s natural regions prone to erratic rainfall.
The intervention builds on the Mombe YaAmai project, which was launched to empower women through dairy production and climate-smart livestock enterprises in Mudzi District, where two women-led dairy business hubs have been established as demonstration and learning centres.
Matopos Research Institute has been leading national research into spineless cactus as an alternative livestock feed, characterising several varieties suitable for Zimbabwe’s dry regions and working with research stations and farming communities to scale up adoption as part of climate-smart agriculture programmes.
Christian Aid Southern Africa Climate Adaptation and Resilience Lead Mr Pepukai Muchazondida Svinurai said the collaboration demonstrated how scientific research could be translated into practical solutions that directly benefit rural communities.
Context that stayed inside the record
Nyahunure Community Organisation coordinator Mr Francis Pawandiwa said the research support had boosted confidence among participating farmers, who had long struggled with declining pasture during prolonged dry seasons.
Mombe YaMai project A TRANSFORMATIVE project of dairy cows aimed at empowering rural women in the outlying areas of Mudzi district, Mashonaland East province, was launched on Thursday.
This initiative is targeting 3000 smallholder farmers (at 60% women) covering wards 3, 7, 9, 13 and 16 of Mudzi and aims to enhance household food security and contribute to the overall wealth of farming families in the usually dry area.
Each group contributed one dairy cow, creating a robust foundation and ownership for women farmers to operate their businesses efficiently and sustainably.
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