Zimbabwe rolls out digital livestock tracking system to boost meat industry
New platform aims to improve livestock data collection and support national food security
ZIMBABWE – The Government of Zimbabwe has introduced a digital livestock tracking system to streamline animal identification and enhance meat supply monitoring across the country.
The platform, developed by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), is designed to capture real-time data on livestock ownership, movement, health, and sales.
This shift comes amid growing demand for more accurate tracking of meat-producing animals such as cattle, goats, and sheep, with the system expected to improve oversight of stock entering the market.
According to authorities, the digital interface will support early detection of disease outbreaks that could disrupt the beef and poultry supply chains.
Unlike the older manual registry, the new system relies on both a physical card and an online portal, each animal tagged with a serial number linked to a central database.
Digital cards linked to national system
Each card features a unique identification code and an anti-forgery watermark, allowing veterinary staff and farmers to record and verify animal data via mobile or web applications.
The card stores detailed information, including ownership records, veterinary history, breeding details, movement clearance, and transaction data.
Officials say this process will reduce the risk of fraud and unregulated livestock movement, especially in rural and border areas where oversight has traditionally been limited.
So far, the system is configured to support cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, donkeys, and dogs, reflecting the wide range of animals traded or consumed across Zimbabwe.
Training begins as government prepares for rollout
To prepare for full implementation, the DVS has launched training for veterinary officers who will guide farmers in the registration process and monitor data entry.
The tracking system is also being aligned with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 development strategy, which includes expanding agricultural productivity and improving access to technology in rural communities.
Incorporating a digital record-keeping method is seen as a step towards improving national planning around food availability and livestock production trends.
Though no cost details were provided in the government’s announcement, similar programmes in the region have typically ranged between US$1 and US$5 per animal for registration and tagging.
The government has yet to confirm whether livestock keepers will bear any of the costs or if the programme will be publicly funded.
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