TN Livestock flips cows into cash
TN Livestock Trust says Zimbabwe can boost rural agriculture by treating cattle as bankable assets. This would let smallholder farmers use their livestock to secure loans, insurance, and other financial services. Though the national herd grew to 5.74 million in 2024, the central bank’s Collateral Registry still lists mostly household goods, vehicles, and farm equipment—not livestock.
Chief Executive Ashleigh Nyambirai noted that rural households own approximately 90 percent of the cattle, yet this wealth remains unrecognized by banks unless the animals are sold or slaughtered. She called for formal systems that reflect the true market value of cattle, which can exceed US$750, compared to sale prices as low as US$190 in some communities.
TNLT’s model lets farmers deposit cattle into secure breeding facilities. After valuation, they receive a negotiable certificate that they can use as collateral for a loan. The trust covers feeding and care, with herds growing at a 30 percent annual calving rate. Investors can also join by contributing cash to build herds without owning land.
Nyambirai said the approach could raise rural farming incomes beyond US$4,000 a year, support Vision 2030, and unlock wealth already held—but not counted—in rural areas.
