Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has urged communities in Matabeleland South to develop water troughs near dams to salvage existing water and protect livestock from getting stuck while drinking from silted dams.
In an interview after a tour of Garanyemba Dam in Gwanda recently, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Cde Davis Marapira, said the deteriorating condition of livestock due to drought was a major concern to Government.
“The major challenge in Matabeleland South is that dams are heavily silted. This dam, which we are seeing here, if cattle move to the water point they get stuck in the silt and because of this we have lost about 11 cattle here,” he said.
“The solution with this kind of challenge will be to build water troughs outside the dam and water will be pumped to the troughs using solar energy. This will prevent cattle from coming closer to the dam.
“Another option will be to make use of the Presidential borehole drilling programme, which seeks to see 35 000 boreholes being drilled across villages,” said Cde Marapira.
“We have to focus our rigs on highly affected areas like here in Garanyemba in Matabeleland South. These boreholes will support various community livelihood projects and also provide portable water to animals.”
The Presidential borehole drilling programme targets to drill 10 000 boreholes within the next 12 months across the country. During the period, the programme will see existing prolific boreholes being solarised to support community gardens and fish ponds.
Addressing villagers from Garanyemba, the Deputy Minister said as part of efforts to ensure farmers have access to affordable feed for their livestock, Government working with its partners has intensified the hay baling programme.
Through this, hay will be moved from provinces, which have grass to other provinces that are in need.
Cde Marapira said cheaper methods of transporting the hay will be explored and urged farmers to utilise the scheme while ensuring proper de-stocking, to avoid potential losses.
“I came here after being sent by Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Masuka, who received a report from this area that cattle were dying.
“As a ministry, we prioritise livestock as they are our wealth as a country. When we hear that cattle are dying, we get concerned. I also heard that some of your cattle are getting stuck in the mud,” he said.
“We want to pump water from the dam to troughs. There is also need for boreholes so that cattle can drink from ponds, which will be made from boreholes.
“There are a lot of people who are saying Matabeleland South is being left out of development, but I’m here to ensure that this province isn’t left out. The President has said no one and no place will be left behind,” said Cde Marapira.
He also raised concern over cattle that were being left unattended to stray onto roads, saying legislation will be put in place to heavily penalise such negligence.
“If we put such measures then they can help farmers to jealously guard their cattle as some are very negligent with their animals. We have to see the value in each beast.
“All these measures being put in place by Government will be successful if we all do our part,” said the deputy minister. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter