adminZimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union vice president, Mr Johnson Mapira said although government had a livestock feeding programme farmers on the other hand could use own resources to establish fodder banks.
“Farmers are currently harvesting their summer crops and they can use the crop residues as their stock-feeds,” said Mr Mapira.
“They can look for stock-feeds from nearby areas and transport to their drought stricken areas.”
Maize, sorghum, ground nuts and other edible crop residue can be used to feed livestock. Mr Mapira said farmers could also conserve grass by not burning.
“We are working hand-in-hand with the Environmental Management Agency to discourage veld fires in farming areas,” he said.
Mr Mapira said livestock farmers could also temporarily transfer their cattle to areas with adequate pastures but said this could only be done with approval from the Department of Veterinary Services.
“Farmers can also sell unproductive cattle and raise funds to buy stockfeeds for the remaining herd. It is better to sell a few beasts and buy stockfeeds than lose the whole herd through starvation,” he said.
The Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) in partnership with various abattoirs and stakeholders in livestock industry is in the process of setting up feed-lots in drought stricken areas.
Online Reporter