IThanks to purebred Zimbabwean cattle on display during the just-concluded Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, the government of Kenyan President Dr William Ruto has reached out to local farmers to facilitate the importation of 15 Simmental bulls and 40 cows into Zimbabwe. East African country.
President Ruto was the guest of honor at the first trade fair of the year, which was officially opened on Saturday.
Earlier, he and President Mnangagwa toured the display stands and was particularly impressed by the country’s livestock at the Bulawayo Agricultural Society exhibition, which is held in conjunction with the annual ZITF exhibition.
President Ruto admired the Simmental cattle owned by prominent Matabeleland South farmer, Mr Obert Chinhamu, who runs a successful venture on his farm on the outskirts of Bulawayo, a short walk from the Gwanda Expressway, and about 27 kilometers from the city centre.
Following President Ruto’s visit to his stand, Mr Chinhamu and other farmers will export 15 Simmental bulls and 40 cows to Kenya.
This is seen as a landmark development that could open huge opportunities for local farmers as spin-offs from the thriving bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Kenya.
“A government official from Kenya called me and told me that the process of exporting our Simmental breed to that country has begun and from our herd, I have already selected the best animals that we will send to Kenya,” Mr Chinhamu said. In an interview at his farm yesterday.
“The Kenyan government official said they wanted about 15 bulls and between 30 and 40 cows, depending on how many cattle could be loaded into the truck.
“You can only load so much into a truck during the long journey to Kenya.
“The 15 cows that will be exported are what we call working bulls meaning they are ready to breed, the same applies to the 40 cows they want but we do not export pregnant cows because they can suffer complications during the journey and abort.
“I have already contacted other Simmental breeders to select their best breeds so that together we can meet the numbers Kenyans want.”
Mr Chinhamu’s life story is one of hard work, diligence, perseverance and self-confidence since he ventured into selling used clothes in the early 1990s while working as a fitter and turner at Cold Storage Company (CSC). He bought his farm in 1994.
“I have raised cattle for the past 30 years, but when I started, I was in commercial cattle ranching where I would buy cattle from farmers in the surrounding areas to fatten them in feedlots,” he said. Announce
