Zimbabwe’s private and public sectors have been urged upon to work together in a bid to harness economic opportunities from the leather and beef value chain, which has the potential to both create more jobs and attract increased export receipts.

Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, Zimbabwe’s Industry & Commerce minister, made the plea while delivering his keynote address during a beef and leather value chain event in Lupane on Thursday.

“Livestock production in Zimbabwe is an important and integral part of the agricultural sector with livestock products contributing about 30% of the value of agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“I am also pleased to note that 90% of the cash flow in the country comes from small-scale communal farmers, Matabeleland provinces contribute approximately 10.9% of the country’s total national herd, which is estimated at 5.5 million,” he said.