Chinhoyi University of Technology Department of Animal Production and Technology
ABOUT
Zimbabwe has over four traditional Animal Science degree programmes of which none of these focuses on the cutting edge animal production and technology issues. While this scenario has sustained the livestock industry thus far, importation of specialized technology, i.e. skills, knowledge and techniques has continued from abroad, mainly from South Africa.
Establishment of a Zimbabwean Department of Animal Production and Technology is the best option to ensure sustainability in dealing with the technological development needs of the whole animal production value chain. Animal Production and Technology is concerned with the cutting edge science and business of producing domestic livestock species, including but not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine imperative to livestock throughput in the country.
As with other African countries, livestock in Zimbabwe perform a wide variety of economic and social functions in households and at national economic level. Livestock are a primary investment resource, which generate food (meat and milk products), cash income, fuel, clothing, employment and capital stock. They provide manure and draught power for crop production. Animals therefore provide a source of wealth, which provides a sense of security, prestige, social status and cultural values.
The latest census estimates, shows that Zimbabwe has at least a population of 5.5 million cattle, 2.7 million sheep, 2.1 million goats, millions of wild animals in protected areas, 25 millions of poultry (chickens, ostriches) and 0.2 million pigs and millions of fish in aquaria. These figures can be improved and product quality enhanced through the use of biotechnology catering for increased population demand for higher food production, higher product quality and the export market. Therefore access to existing and new production technologies is essential if developing countries including Zimbabwe are to emerge from the hunger, malnutrition and poverty.