Zimbabwe's livestock output hampered by low corn yields

Low corn yields have negatively impacted Zimbabwe's stock feed manufacturing, resulting in decreased poultry and pig production over the past few years, according to an official from the Pig Industry Board.

The sow herd had decreased to 8,000 from 18,000 due to feed shortages, said PIB advisory officer Tamo Hove Muza.

Pig producers had resorted to survival diets while others had completely stopped production, he said.

But the situation is improving as most farmers reported positive yields last season. Muza said the removal of the Grain Marketing Board's monopoly on corn had also resulted in a number of pig producers being able to purchase enough grain for stock feeds.