Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu , [email protected]
FARMERS from Irisvale area in Umzingwane District have embarked on a project to produce highly nutritious livestock feed in ammonification treatment pits using urea fertiliser, as part of efforts to save their animals in the face of climate change-induced drought.
Farmers in the community demonstrated the production process of a one tonne urea fertiliser stock feed during a field day demonstration exercise at a homestead of a lead farmer, in Ward 13. The final stock feed product was prepared in a one metre-deep pit and is expected to be ready after four weeks.
It was prepared using 50kg of urea fertiliser, 200 litres of water and 1 000kg of maize stover. The urea fertiliser livestock feed is recommended for being cost-effective as farmers can produce it from their crop residue.
The Government has set aside urea for distribution to farmers for production of livestock feed, as part of efforts to improve feed and adaptation to climate change vagaries.
One of the lead farmers of Vukuzenzele Group, Mrs Elbina Machokoro, said they plan to venture into large scale production of the stock feed option, so that they can sustain their animals and also sell some of the produce to other villagers.
“We are a group of 44 farmers under the name Vukuzenzele Group. We have four lead farmers, who are responsible for a group of about 10 farmers each. In our groups we have been receiving education of farming and today we have started producing stock feed from urea fertiliser,” she said.
“We have done the theory and today we were doing practical with the help of extension workers. Today we started the process of preparing a tonne of urea treated stock feed. In four weeks’ time our stock feed will be ready.
“This education will go a long way in assisting us to sustain our livestock. We have been advised that this stock feed is highly nutritious, which will come in handy, especially during the year where we will experience a shortage of grazing land. Urea fertiliser is a good protein supplement, which will be ideal for our animals.”
Another farmer, Mr Busani Nyoni said producing stock feed from urea fertiliser is affordable, as it mainly requires crop residue. He said farmers do not have to use fresh crops to make the feed but after harvesting their crop, the residue comes into use to sustain livestock.
Mrs Donaria Moyo said each farmer will go on to establish an urea treatment pit in their homes, for production of livestock feed. “We are no longer feeding our animals just anything but we now value the nutrition component. We have to realise the most value from our livestock and this means giving our animals proper feed that will improve their performance,” she said.
“We have been educated on how to mix our plants, crops and other ingredients for better results and this is what we are now implementing.”
The field day was held under the theme: “Maximising livestock production through implementation of climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies”.
Also speaking during the same event, Agriculture Advisory and Rural Development Services Matabeleland South provincial director, Mrs Shupikai Sibanda, urged communities to embrace various concepts that are being implemented by Government and its partners to cushion farmers against the effects of climate change.
“It’s high time that all farmers transform their activities to business. We don’t want any farmer to die of hunger, when they have resources such as livestock and land.
“That’s why we are witnessing such activities like this one today, of making stock feed,” she said.
“As Government we are saying let’s grow fodder, let’s bale hay and let’s make silage. Government has its technical staff at your disposal, who can equip you and educate farmers on such climate smart techniques.
“We also have several partners who are complementing Government’s efforts. What is left is for all farmers to adopt these techniques and then we will be guaranteed of food and nutrition security.”
Mrs Sibanda said if all communities adopt the feed making model then the country will attain Vision 2030 way before the set period. She applauded the community of Irisvale for taking a lead in safeguarding their animals. Mrs Sibanda also said the prevailing weather conditions required farmers to depart from the traditional way of farming. – @DubeMatutu.
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