Chief calls for Isiphala Senkosi expansion

CHIEF Dakamela of Nkayi has called for innovative strategies to improve crop and livestock production in rural communities, highlighting the importance of food security in the wake of the ongoing El Niño-induced drought.

Chief Dakamela emphasised the need to strengthen the Isiphala Senkosi initiative, a grain reserve system traditionally managed by chiefs to provide food for vulnerable members of the community.

In light of the current food shortages, Chief Dakamela is advocating for the expansion of Isiphala Senkosi to not only cover grain but also livestock.

He has implemented a livestock-based model of the programme, where community members contribute cattle to create a pool, which is managed collectively. The herd consists of 30 cattle, despite the drought causing some losses.

The Isiphala Senkosi programme, which was initially reserved for chiefs, now extends to 500 headmen and 36 000 village heads across the country.

Chief Dakamela’s adaptation of the initiative involves the creation of a community fund from the pooled cattle to support local development projects, including scholarships for children in the area.

He expressed concern over the severe drought, which has strained both household food supplies and livestock survival.

“This year has been difficult, not just in Dakamela but everywhere. People are struggling due to the drought and don’t have anything to contribute to the Isiphala Senkosi as they usually do,” he said.

“We have already lost one cow from the Isiphala herd, and we’re down to 30.”

Despite these challenges, Chief Dakamela remains committed to continuing the programme. He said new strategies are being developed, including the allocation of land in each village specifically for growing stock feed.

“We’ve designated about 22 hectares per village — 10 hectares for fields and 12 hectares for stock feed. We’re working on securing partners to help us establish solar-powered irrigation systems for these plots, and the community is very supportive of this initiative,” he said.

Nkayi District, like many parts of Matabeleland North, faces chronic water shortages, exacerbating the difficulties of sustaining livestock. To address this, Chief Dakamela has stressed the need for solar-powered boreholes in his area, and he welcomed the ongoing construction of Ziminya Dam.

The dam is part of the Government’s broader climate-smart agricultural interventions under National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), aimed at boosting food production and achieving Vision 2030 goals.

The Government’s efforts to promote climate-smart technologies are crucial, especially as much of Matabeleland North falls within ecological Regions 4 and 5, areas typically characterised by low rainfall and vulnerability to drought.

Despite these challenges, both crop and livestock farming thrive in the province during good years. According to the 2023 livestock census, Matabeleland North has over 695 000 cattle, with Lupane, Nkayi, and Bubi districts each boasting more than 100 000 cattle.

Many farmers in the province have lost significant numbers of livestock due to drought and the deadly January disease. The Department of Veterinary Services recently reported a sharp increase in cattle deaths across Matabeleland, compounding the region’s agricultural challenges.

Chief Dakamela remains optimistic about the future, saying his community is working on innovative solutions to protect their livestock and ensure food security through sustainable practices.