Drought claims 12 500 cattle

Standrick Chagadama

THE Government is intensifying efforts to support livestock farmers to prevent further losses after more than 12 500 cattle died between June and September this year as a result of drought-induced malnutrition, water shortages, culling and diseases.

According to data from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), 7 072 cattle succumbed to malnutrition and lack of drinking water, with Matabeleland North being the hardest-hit province, recording 2 874 deaths.

Over the same period, 3 880 cattle were culled as a result of the drought, with Matabeleland North experiencing the highest number of culling cases, at 2 017.

Additionally, 1 243 cattle died from the January disease and other tick-borne illnesses, while anthrax and blackleg claimed eight and 354 cattle, respectively.

The authorities are establishing more than 1 000 ward-based livestock and drought mitigation centres in ecological regions four and five.

These centres are aimed at helping communities build resilience in the face of drought.

Each centre will be equipped with solar-powered boreholes, along with livestock drinking and feeding troughs.

In addition, the centres will include livestock sales facilities to support farmers in managing their herds during challenging conditions.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, DVS chief director Dr Pious Makaya said: “The Directorate of Veterinary Services has intensified its animal disease control efforts in order to prevent further livestock losses amongst farmers.

“The majority of livestock losses were attributed to tick-borne infections, such as January disease, and in this regard, DVS is implementing the Integrated Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Control Strategy to curb further mortalities.

“Outbreaks of January disease occurred in 14 districts of the country during the first quarter of 2024, but the disease is now largely under control, with reduced tick activity in the second and third quarter of 2024.

“The DVS has put in place various measures to prevent animal disease outbreaks, as well as mitigatory measures to minimise their negative impacts.”

He said data on the economic impact of livestock diseases on local farmers was unavailable since no economic impact studies have been undertaken by the DVS.

“Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks mostly occur in districts neighbouring national parks or conservancies, which harbour buffaloes, the natural host of the FMD virus.

“Currently, the disease is affecting one district in the country, with measures being put in place by Government to control it.

“Anthrax outbreaks occur sporadically in the country, but this year, there have been no significant outbreaks in livestock, but in wildlife, in the Gonarezhou National Park.

“Veterinary authorities are collaborating with ZimParks (Zimbabwe Parks and
Wildlife Management Authority) to implement measures to control the anthrax outbreak.”

Crucially, the livestock and drought mitigation centres being set up by the Government are meant to equip communities with the tools needed to endure droughts and potentially come out stronger.

It is envisaged that the livestock drinking and feeding troughs will ensure that animals have access to clean water and potentially drought-resistant fodder.

Livestock sales centres are geared towards helping farmers sell animals before they become malnourished due to drought, providing income to buy food or invest in promoting resilience to drought.

The Government recently directed that individuals will now only be allowed to sell their animals through ward-based business units to ensure buyers do not short-change farmers during the current drought
season.