Gvt Procures Over 15,000 Metric Tonnes of Stockfeed to Assist Livestock Farmers Affected By El Nino Induced Drought

Post On Sunday Reporter

 In a proactive response to the El Nino-induced drought affecting farmers in distressed areas, the government of Zimbabwe has acquired over 15,000 metric tonnes of stock feed from Dendairy as part of its Livestock Drought Response Strategy.

The El Nino induced drought has hit Matebeleland region the hardest leading to a high number of cattle deaths with many households in the region recording losses.

According to the 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihood Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) Rural Livelihoods Assessment report on agriculture related shocks, livestock deaths (20 percent) were most reported.

The report said Matebeleland South (30 percent) had the highest proportion of households which reported livestock death, followed by Masvingo at 28 percent and Midlands at 27 percent with Mashonaland West as least with 12 percent cattle death.

In an interview, the national livestock drought mitigation coordinator, Aaron Muchazivepi, announced that each cattle in these affected regions will receive two kilograms of feed per day.

To date, the national coordinator said, the initiative has secured 3,000 metric tonnes of feed, sufficient to support approximately 50,000 cattle.

“If you evaluate this, it translates to saving more than 50,000 cattle through the provision of feed to livestock in the Southern regions,” Muchazivepi stated.

He added that the focus of the initiative is primarily on distressed wards in natural regions four and five, covering areas in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, and Masvingo.

“We have made significant progress in several districts, moving substantial tonnage to drought-stressed areas.

“In Matabeleland North, we have reached Tsholotsho, Lupane, Nkayi, and Umguza, while in Matabeleland South, we have assisted Bulilima, Insiza, Gwanda, Matobo, Mangwe, and Mzingwane districts.

“In the Midlands, we have covered Mberengwa, Gokwe North and South, and Shurugwi.

“In Masvingo, we have supported farmers in Chivi, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Zaka, and Gutu,” he said.

Muchazivepi noted that the government, through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), is facilitating logistics to transport feed to the needy areas.

He also encouraged farmers to assist with transportation at the ward level.

“We have asked our farmers to mobilise transport to help move the feed within their wards.

“We have communal and smallholder farmers, along with drought mitigation centres where focal persons are stationed.

“With 1,620 rural wards in Zimbabwe, these officers from the government and agricultural ministry are conducting meetings and training farmers on drought relief strategies,” he explained.

Muchazivepi emphasized the importance of these meetings, where farmers receive information on accessing stock feed, including maize silage from Dendairy, to help save their livestock.

In addition to feed, the national coordinator said, the government is providing water in distressed wards by drilling boreholes for both livestock and human consumption.

Muchazivepi also highlighted the establishment of drought mitigation centres in each ward, designed as business units with one hectare dedicated to horticulture gardens.

“We are creating drinking water sources for livestock, and these centres will serve as aggregation points for selling livestock and produce from local business units.

“Government aims to establish 1,600 drought mitigation centres nationwide, starting with the southern provinces.

“These centres will be powered by solar energy to facilitate water provision and horticultural activities. Each centre will also feature two fish ponds and cattle holding pens,” he said.

Veterinary officers will be stationed at these units to monitor animal health, he added.

Despite these efforts, Muchazivepi reported that the country has lost over 4,000 cattle due to the drought.

“This comprehensive strategy aims to mitigate the impact of the drought. While we have managed to save 50,000 cattle, we have unfortunately lost around 4,000 due to the unavailability of feed, grazing, and water since June, which is the dry winter period when supplementary feeding is crucial,” he concluded.