Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
LIVESTOCK farmers have been urged to desist from practising free-range grazing as part of efforts to protect their animals from succumbing to the El Nino-induced drought.
The El Niño weather phenomenon is being experienced across Southern Africa and is characterised by high temperatures and prolonged dry spells.
Speaking during a recent tour of Makhado Ranch in Beitbridge district as part of a crop and livestock assessment programme, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira urged livestock farmers also to dose their animals to help them withstand the prevailing dry conditions.
He raised concern over the state of cattle in Matabeleland South, which has the second-highest number of livestock in the country after Masvingo.
“It’s concerning that farmers in this part of the country allow free-range cattle farming. Animals are left to move a distance of about 20km while some farmers go for weeks without accounting for their cattle,” said Dep Min Marapira.
“Some of these animals are not taken for dipping, making it difficult to fight diseases such as Theileriosis. We are going to pass a statutory instrument to guard against free range cattle system as we want cattle farmers to monitor the movements of their animals.”
Dep Min Marapira said due to the harsh weather conditions and extreme heat farmers should restrict the movements of their animals.
“Some cattle are being lost because of negligence from farmers. Farmers have to take extra care of their animals to keep them safe,” he said.
Dep Min Marapira urged farmers to adhere to guidelines set by the Department of Veterinary Services.
“During my assessment, I have realised that some farmers don’t dose their cattle hence they haven’t picked weight to the required levels expected considering that we are coming from a green grass period,” he said.
“If the animals don’t come up to 75 percent of their weight it will be difficult for them to conceive and the numbers won’t grow. Dosing will ensure that all the internal parasites are eliminated.”
Dep Min Marapira also urged farmers to start destocking their animals by getting rid of the non-productive ones to enable them to buy feed for the productive ones.
He said farmers should fence off their paddocks to protect their animals. Dep Min Marapira said Government will also act on trespassers who are vandalising agricultural properties.
“In the past, we had a law that was guarding against trespassing on farm property and these are some of the regulations that we should bring back because these people steal cattle, poach wildlife, fish and firewood and vandalise property,” he said.
Dep Min Marapira said farmers should preserve the little available water for irrigation purposes.
“Since we have received low rains it doesn’t mean that we must lose hope. Let’s adopt adaptive measures which will help us to protect our animals. Let’s fully utilise the irrigation schemes around us to ensure food security,” he said.–@DubeMatutu
Online Reporter