Doris Mpala
Agriculture Correspondent
Farmers have been urged to consider destocking early to protect the value of their livestock and reduce pressure on limited feed and water supplies as Zimbabwe prepares for a potentially hot and dry agricultural season.
Dr Cosmos Magorokosho, an agricultural expert at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), said farmers should assess their livestock numbers against the resources available to sustain their animals during the anticipated dry conditions.
“Early destocking preserves value. If you decide to sell some animals, selling them early while they are still healthy will get you a much better price than waiting until they are weak,” he said.
Dr Magorokosho said destocking should be considered as a livestock management and financial planning strategy rather than a sign of failure, particularly for farmers keeping more animals than they could comfortably feed and water through a dry season.
He urged farmers to assess their herds early and consider selling surplus animals while market prices remained favourable.
“Your animals are not a burden during drought, they are an asset that you can manage wisely. By making thoughtful decisions now, you can protect both your livestock and your family’s food security,” he said.
Dr Magorokosho also encouraged farmers to explore affordable ways of maintaining the animals they retain, including the use of urea-molasses blocks to help cattle utilise poor quality dry grass more efficiently.
He said farmers could seek guidance from agricultural extension officers or agronomists on preparing the supplements using locally available materials.
The agricultural expert also identified goats as a suitable option for livestock production in dry conditions, noting that they can browse bushes and trees that cattle cannot digest and require less water per kilogram of body weight.
Beyond livestock management, Dr Magorokosho urged farmers to adopt practical measures to prepare for possible drought, including conserving soil moisture, diversifying crops and harvesting rainwater.
He recommended growing drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum and millet, alongside legumes such as cowpeas and groundnuts, to reduce the risks associated with relying heavily on maize.
He also encouraged farmers to improve soil health by incorporating organic matter, retaining crop residues and using mulch to reduce moisture loss.
Dr Magorokosho said the expected dry conditions should prompt farmers to make early, informed decisions rather than wait until the effects of drought become severe.
He stressed that livestock management, crop diversification and water conservation were important measures for protecting household food security and sustaining agricultural production during difficult seasons.
