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Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]

MATABELELAND South Province recorded a loss of 19 000 cattle due to drought last year, with Beitbridge and Umzingwane districts having the least deaths as farmers in these areas embraced drought mitigation measures, including the urea treatment of stover.

The devastating drought forced cattle to walk long distances in search of water, leading to widespread poverty deaths, particularly among communal farmers.

This was said by the provincial livestock officer, Mr Hatityi Muchemwa while making a presentation at Royale Cooper Estate on Wednesday during Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka’s visit as part of the ongoing first round of the crop, livestock and fisheries assessment.

He said most deaths were recorded in Mangwe, Bulilima, Matobo, Insiza and Gwanda districts.

“We lost a total of 19 000 cattle to poverty deaths across the province due to the devastating effects of drought last year.

However, the situation was relatively better in Beitbridge and Umzingwane, where the uptake of urea treatment of stover was higher,” said Mr Muchemwa.

“We are working to ensure this practice is adopted in the other five districts. Communal farmers were the worst affected, and we are encouraging them to allocate at least one plot for silage and two for fodder to supplement stock feeds during the dry season.”

Beitbridge recorded 435 cattle deaths last year, with the hardest-hit areas being Ward 13 resettlement zones, where water sources and pastures had significantly dwindled. The district is home to over 200 000 cattle, 250  000 goats, 150 000 sheep, and 50 000 donkeys.

livestock

Beitbridge East legislator Cde Albert Nguluvhe, who is also a cattle farmer in Ward 13, said he managed to save his livestock by baling more hay during the dry season.

Dr Rutendo Mwaramba, the local head of veterinary services, noted a significant reduction in livestock deaths in Beitbridge, dropping from 10 percent to 2,4 percent of the district’s total herd last year.

Beitbridge Rural District Council chairman, Councillor Oscar Chiromo, appealed for Government support to establish a fodder production farm in the district, citing the high cost of stock feeds, which are beyond the reach of most communal farmers.

Dr Masuka outlined measures to support livestock farmers in Matabeleland, Midlands, and Masvingo provinces.

“We will provide farmers with tractors and balers between April and June to enable them to cut hay and prepare for the next dry season,” he said.

Dr Masuka expressed optimism about better pasture conditions due to predictions of a good rainfall season and urged farmers to take advantage of this opportunity to cut hay and stockpile fodder.

“We anticipated that 50 percent of the national 5,7 million cattle herd was at high risk of being affected by drought.

“However, we have lost less than 1 percent, thanks to the efforts of farmers who heeded the call to destock and use ward drought mitigation centres,” he said.

Dr Masuka encouraged farmers to adhere to advice from livestock development and agriculture extension officers, particularly regarding urea treatment of stover and ensuring adequate supplementation for their livestock.

“Livestock farmers must note that the epicentre of all this is the view that irrespective of large or small scale, livestock is a business,” he said

Dr Masuka said the Government’s interventions aim to build resilience among farmers and reduce the impact of future droughts, ensuring the sustainability of the livestock sector in Matabeleland South.