Impact of climate change on livestock production in Zimbabwe

This research note examines the vulnerability of Zimbabwe's livestock industry to climate change, identifying key environmental threats and systemic institutional failures that hinder the sector's capacity to adapt.

• Climate change in Zimbabwe is manifested through increasing mean maximum temperatures, reduced mean annual rainfall, unpredictable weather patterns, shifts in the agricultural calendar, and extended mid-season droughts.
• The primary threats to livestock production include land shortages for pastures, competition between humans and animals for cereals, drought, the spread of tick-borne and vector-borne diseases, temperatures exceeding normal physiological levels, and destructive veld fires.
• The livestock industry is unprepared for climate threats due to a lack of research funds, absence of investment in infrastructure and new genetics, poor technological access, and a shortage of qualified extension and research personnel. Consequently, all livestock species are affected, leading to reduced animal populations, productivity, and profitability.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2016). Impact of climate change on livestock production in Zimbabwe. https://cdkn.org/resource/research-note-impact-of-climate-change-on-livestock-production-in-zimbabwe

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Impact of climate change on livestock production in Zimbabwe. 2016. https://cdkn.org/resource/research-note-impact-of-climate-change-on-livestock-production-in-zimbabwe.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Impact of climate change on livestock production in Zimbabwe |date=1 December 2016 |url=https://cdkn.org/resource/research-note-impact-of-climate-change-on-livestock-production-in-zimbabwe |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2016impact, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Impact of climate change on livestock production in Zimbabwe}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2016}, month = dec, url = {https://cdkn.org/resource/research-note-impact-of-climate-change-on-livestock-production-in-zimbabwe}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }