Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
Zimpapers Business Hub
Farmers have been implored to prioritise fodder production during the rainy season to produce silage for their livestock in preparation for the dry season.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary, Professor Obert Jiri, said this in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing five-day Strategic Workshop in Bulawayo.
Prof Jiri said for a long time the ministry had regarded livestock as a secondary issue, with crops taking the center stage because of their central role in the nation’s food security.
However, Prof Jiri said livestock was a key sub-sector that also required special attention.
“Farmers should utilise part of their Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots to produce fodder.
“We have in the past two to three seasons distributed velvet bean, lab-lab and other species of fodder crops, and that is critical,” said Prof Jiri.
“We would want to encourage farmers to embrace these, as they do their arable crops, they can also put a portion for fodder crops.
Large-scale farmers can also replenish their pastures by ensuring that they irrigate their pastures and grow other pasture species to ensure that there is enough and adequate feed during the dry season.
