Matetsi farmers fear wildlife invasions as crops thrive

WHILE the country anticipates a bumper harvest due to the ongoing rains, farmers in wildlife-infested Matetsi Ward, Hwange, are gripped by fear of losing their crops to marauding elephants.

Matetsi Ward, which includes Lubangwe, Matetsi, Breakfast, Woodlands, and Masuwe areas, is Hwange’s prime crop farming area. However, its proximity to national parks and game reserves makes it a hotspot for human-wildlife conflict.

Traditionally, wild animals, especially elephants, invade fields and destroy crops, leaving some farmers with nothing. Currently, most maize and sorghum crops are at the vegetative stage, and farmers worry that they will soon attract elephants.

Farmers in the ward have resorted to night vigils to guard their fields, despite the dangers of being attacked by wild animals.

Ms Chibani Nkomo from Village 3 said their greatest challenge is the elephants.

“Animals don’t come when it’s raining, but once the rains stop and crops start tasseling, they invade. Right now, they are still in the park, but we appeal to authorities to help us keep them away so we can harvest,” she said.

Ms Fungai Nyoni from the same village echoed her concerns.

“Elephants usually come when crops are almost ripe. We’ve been advised to use several methods to keep them away, but these are not permanent solutions. This is why some people give up on farming,” she said.

Farmers have called on the Government to equip the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) with vehicles to respond swiftly to problem animal reports.

“When elephants invade our communities, we quickly inform Zimparks, but they face challenges with vehicles and can’t respond in time. We wish they could be assisted with cars,” said Mr Johannes Kunyaure Mapaningoma. Village head Mr. Martin Ncube from Village 2 highlighted the risks community members face while guarding their fields at night.

“People are in danger of being attacked by wild animals while trying to protect their crops. We need a long-term solution to this problem,” he said.

Mr Davison Ndlovu from Kalala said the community is hopeful for a bumper harvest after last year’s poor yields but elephants could ruin their expectations.

“Last year, people didn’t harvest anything. This year, we are hopeful, but our challenge is elephants. We wish Zimparks could station rangers in our villages for quicker response,” he said.

Mr Kelva Ngwenya from Lubangwe Village 1 suggested a collaborative approach.

“What will work is for every farmer to guard the fields 24/7. Once elephants invade, we can alert each other and chase them away together,” he said.

Matetsi Ward Councillor Vulindlela Mhlanga noted that shifting climatic conditions and farming patterns have altered wildlife movement, exacerbating the problem.

The community is appealing to the Government to equip Zimparks and the Hwange Rural District Council to address the human-wildlife conflict effectively.