By Delicious Mathuthu
Matobo – Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has invested more than US$400 000 in a Semen Processing and Cryopreservation Centre in Matabeleland South, Matobo District, to be commissioned on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Matopos Research Institute.
The centre will be the largest in the country and will enable farmers to access quality semen for livestock breeding, as well as preservation of local valuable stock breed genes.
The Government of Zimbabwe, thorugh the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD), says it seeks to change the narrative in agricultural research, and adopt climate smart agriculture mostly targeting small holder farmers.
“This is the largest semen processing and cryopreservation centre in Zimbabwe set to change the narrative in agricultural research.
“This center will play a significant role to promote the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture technologies that address critical needs of vulnerable smallholder farmers who experience increasing climatic disturbances.
“This…showcases the successful partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe, the Green Climate Fund, and UNDP in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development,” the Ministry said.
Over US$394 000 was directly invested in laboratory equipment, with thousands more towards the project manpower development.
“The total equipment investment by the project is valued at $394,390.00 and an additional $10,557.00 in capacity building of staff.
“The total investment towards the Semen Processing and Cryopreservation laboratory is $ 404,947.00,” MLAFWRD said.
The Saturday commissioning ceremony will be graced by MLAFWRD Minister, Hon. Dr. Anxious Masuka, and UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Ayodele Odusola. Also expected are several top government officials and community leaders.
The event will mark the official handover of the semen centre from the UNDP to the Zimbabwean government.
The primary goal of the centre is to preserve genetic diversity through cryopreservation of semen from valuable livestock breeds, including indigenous breeds such as Tuli, Mashona, Afrikander, and Nkone, crucial for the country’s agricultural sector, MLAFWRD said.
The Matopos Research Institute, as the custodian of these indigenous breeds, is expected to make these elite genetic resources available to farmers on a cost-recovery basis.
The initiative also seeks to promote climate-smart agriculture technologies to support vulnerable smallholder farmers facing increasing climatic disturbances.
