New commitments to sustainable rangeland management

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Across Zimbabwe’s dryland regions, rangelands provide the primary source of feed for livestock, which are central to household incomes, nutrition, cultural identity and economic development. However, increasing climate variability, recurrent droughts, land degradation and unsustainable land-use practices have placed growing pressure on these landscapes, threatening the livelihoods of communities that depend on them. In May 2026, Zimbabwe joined the global community in commemorating the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026. The government used the occasion to renew national commitment towards sustainable management of rangelands and wetlands that underpin livestock production, food security, biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. The IYRP2026 commemorations offered an opportunity to showcase local solutions and strengthen partnerships aimed at restoring degraded grazing lands while improving the resilience of livestock production systems. 

Speaking during the first day of the commemorations in Nyozani, Ward 18 of Insiza District, Deputy Minister Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Hon. Davis Marapira praised local communities for their efforts in protecting wetlands and communal grazing areas, emphasizing that sustainable land stewardship is essential for securing future generations. 

Hon. Marapira also announced Government plans to establish a two-hectare rangeland demonstration centre in the district. The centre will serve as a practical learning hub for livestock keepers and community members, promoting improved livestock feed production, nutrition gardens, fish farming and road runner chicken enterprises. The demonstration centre is expected to provide farmers with hands-on experience in sustainable rangeland management practices while showcasing integrated approaches that link environmental restoration with income generation and household nutrition. According to the Deputy Minister, the initiative forms part of broader Government efforts to strengthen livestock production and address the feed shortages experienced during the severe drought conditions like those of the 2023/2024 season. Through the programme, Zimbabwe is scaling up the production and adoption of drought-tolerant and high-nutrition grass varieties to improve livestock feeding systems and enhance resilience to future climate shocks.

Call for collaboration 

Also speaking on the sidelines of the event, ILRI Zimbabwe Representative Prof. Sikhalazo Dube called for stronger collaboration among Southern African countries to unlock the full economic potential of the livestock sector. He noted that livestock production remains one of the most important economic activities in the region, yet progress is often constrained by animal diseases, fragmented policies and barriers to regional trade. Professor Dube emphasized the need for harmonized livestock policies, regionally recognized standards and coordinated disease surveillance and control systems to strengthen livestock value chains and improve market access.

“The challenges facing the livestock sector do not stop at national boundaries,” he explained, pointing to the continued threat posed by foot-and-mouth disease, tick-borne diseases and livestock tuberculosis. “Addressing these challenges requires collective action, knowledge sharing and coordinated investment among countries across Southern Africa.”

The commemorations were led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Water Resources and supported by partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Shangani Holistic, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the commemorations began on 14 May 2026 in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South Province. The events were held under the theme, “Regenerating shared landscapes – Integrating emergent outcomes from pastoralist lifestyles for prosperity, sovereignty and resilience,” and brought together government officials, researchers, development partners, livestock producers and local communities to reflect on the critical role that healthy rangelands play in supporting people, livestock and ecosystems.

About the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026

The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists was declared by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of rangelands and pastoralist systems worldwide. These ecosystems cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support millions of people through livestock production, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. In Africa, where many rural communities depend on livestock for their livelihoods, healthy rangelands are increasingly recognized as vital assets in the fight against climate change, poverty and food insecurity. The Zimbabwe commemorations also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing challenges that affect livestock systems across national borders. The discussions during the commemorations reinforced a growing consensus that sustainable rangeland management is not solely an environmental issue but a development priority with far-reaching implications for food systems, livelihoods and resilience. Through stronger partnerships, community-led stewardship and regional collaboration, the country is laying the groundwork for more resilient livestock systems and sustainable prosperity for generations to come.

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