Ardas Drives Nationwide Distribution of 632,000 Improved Goats to Empower Zimbabwean Farmers
Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) has reaffirmed the Zimbabwean Government’s strong commitment to boosting goat production through the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme. Launched in 2022, this initiative is central to accelerating Rural Development 8.0 and achieving the country’s Vision 2030 goal of becoming an upper middle-income economy.
The Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme aims to distribute 632,000 goats with improved genetics across Zimbabwe. Each of the 35,000 villages will receive one buck and seventeen does to be distributed among vulnerable families, fostering community-wide access to quality livestock.
During a recent field visit to Wedza, Ardas Director Leonard Munamati emphasised that the programme goes beyond increasing goat numbers. It focuses on enhancing genetic quality to uplift rural livelihoods sustainably.
“We want to improve our goats and increase their numbers, and the scheme is designed to do just that,” Munamati stated. Improved male goats will be distributed to village heads and headmen to facilitate controlled breeding with local female goats. This structured cross-breeding strategy is expected to significantly improve goat quality, boosting productivity and market value for smallholder farmers.
This decentralised approach accelerates access to superior goat breeds at the grassroots level, helping farmers tap into commercial opportunities while advancing food security and household incomes. The initiative has already started showing positive results, with farmers recognising goats as a pathway to economic empowerment rather than merely livestock.
Zimbabwe’s livestock sector faces increasing challenges due to climate change, including droughts, floods, pest outbreaks, and food shortages, which heighten farmers’ vulnerability to shocks. Goats, being hardy and with a unique browsing ability, adapt more readily to changing climatic conditions compared to other ruminants.
In response, the Government’s Livestock Growth Plan emphasises building resilience among smallholder farmers through adaptation strategies tailored to the agricultural sector.
FFA Explainer Box:
Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme
A government initiative distributing improved goats to villages nationwide to promote quality breeding, increase herd sizes, and enhance rural livelihood resilience.
By improving goat genetics and accessibility, this scheme contributes significantly to Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation agenda under NDS1, prioritising inclusive growth, youth and women empowerment, and climate-smart agriculture.
In summary, Ardas’s nationwide distribution of improved goats under the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme is a vibrant demonstration of Zimbabwe’s forward-looking agricultural policies. This programme empowers rural communities, strengthens food security, improves economic prospects, and enhances resilience against climate-induced challenges, laying strong foundations for the country’s sustainable development aspirations.
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