SYDNEY MUBAIWA
ZVISHAVANE- Zvishavane based Platinum mining giant, Mimosa Mining Company says it will continue to invest extensively in corporate social responsibility programmes to address some of the needs of the local communities where they operate in.
In an interview, Mimosa Managing Director Fungai Makoni said the mining company intends to commercialise its livestock revitalisation program and create sustainable income streams for communities in Zvishavane and Mberengwa districts.
“Our objective has always been to improve cattle quality and uplift communities. By taking this program to a commercial level, we are aimed at creating opportunities for farmers to not only sustain their livelihoods but also contribute to the local economy,” he said.
The livestock revitalisation program was implemented in partnership with the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) and the Department of Livestock in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
The program has already made significant strides in improving cattle quality in the two districts.
Makoni said since its inception, the program has distributed 600 bulls and 177 heifers to communities in the two districts to improve the genetic quality of local cattle herds.
He said about 746 cows were inseminated between 2020 and 2023, resulting in a 59 percent success rate and the birth of 450 calves.
To date, over 2 000 calves have been born through the breeding bulls and artificial insemination programs, making a major milestone in the initiative’s goal of improving livestock quality.
The mining company has also invested in training farmers on cattle management to make sure the sustainability of the program.
Ten dip tanks have been refurbished across the Zvishavane district, further supporting the health and productivity of the cattle.
He said plans are underway to create market linkages and value addition opportunities for livestock products, enabling farmers to generate income from their herds.
He said the next phase of the program aims to empower communities by transforming livestock farming into viable commercial enterprise.
The livestock revitalisation program is part of Mimosa’s broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts which focus on sustainable community development.
The company has also invested in community gardens, infrastructure development and education, demonstrating its commitment to leaving a lasting positive impact in areas where it operates.
Zimbabwe’s cattle industry, a vital pillar of the country’s agricultural economy, has been a focal point of the government’s Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan (2021-2026), targeting a national beef cattle herd of 6 million by 2025.
