Destock with caution, farmers told

1008-5-2-A HERD OF CATTLE GRAZING ON A FARM OWNED BY THE AFRICA CENTRE FOR HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT IN HWANGE DISTRICT 3

Senior Business Reporter
LIVESTOCK farmers in Matabeleland should venture into projects with quick returns so that they are able to raise money to buy stockfeed for their cattle, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday.

Speaking at a small-to-medium holder and communal farmers’ workshop in Bulawayo, Small-to-Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said reports that over 16,000 cattle had succumbed to drought were worrying but cautioned farmers over destocking.

“In the past, this part of the country was known for livestock production. Despite the ravaging drought, we should strive to save our cattle from dying,” said Minister Nyoni.

“It’s my personal view that livestock farmers shouldn’t rush to destocking due to the ravaging drought. Instead, that should only come as a last resort after other alternatives have been exhausted. For example, because of the quick returns you can venture into quail birds production so that you raise money to buy stockfeed for your cattle.

“With quail birds (izagwaca), it takes six weeks for them to start laying eggs, which on the market are being sold at $4 a crate with which money you can now use to buy stockfeed for your cattle and save them from dying.”

Minister Nyoni bemoaned the continued decline of the national herd particularly in Matabeleland saying farmers in the region should be proactive in taking all measures to save their cattle from starvation.

“In the past, Matabeleland region used to have the highest number of cattle in the country but it’s disheartening to note that the livestock has continued to deplete with Masvingo province reported to have the highest number of cattle, followed by Mashonaland East. Matabeleland region is now ranked third or fourth in the country,” she said.

At present, the national herd stands at about 5,4 million.

The minister challenged livestock farmers in Matabeleland to venture into other projects such as bee-keeping and ostrich farming.

“When you talk of livestock production, what normally knocks into people’s heads is the rearing of animals such as cattle, goats and sheep yet livestock farming also involves the breeding of ostriches and bee-keeping projects, among others.

“I’m challenging you as livestock producers to also venture into bee-keeping and rearing of ostriches,” she said.

Livestock production, she said, contributes immensely to the Gross Domestic Product and thus farmers, in line with Zim-Asset, should value add products from the livestock sector to enhance economic development.

The one-day workshop was facilitated by the Matabeleland North Women Livestock Association.

The event ran under the theme, “Enhancing small-medium holder farmers’ socio-economic livelihoods and attaining sustainable development goals through livestock”.

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