Chronicle Editor
Harare Bureau
THE Government is stepping up its drought response programme to mitigate loss of livestock by ensuring the availability of feeds, water and vaccines.
The authorities are establishing village-based troughs at community boreholes to ensure access to drinking water for livestock.
Survival rations and mineral supplements are also being provided to farmers, while the distribution of hay bales to supplement grazing, along with livestock vaccines to prevent disease outbreaks, has been intensified.
An artificial insemination programme to introduce hardy livestock breeds that are better suited to withstand future droughts is also in the works.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said: “Despite deliberate efforts put forward by the Government to climate-proof agriculture, the nation is feeling the impact of the drought.
“The drought has had adverse effects on both crop and livestock production.”
Most livestock deaths during previous droughts, he said, were attributed to dehydration rather than starvation.
“Drying up water holes are a muddy death trap to animals as they stampede for the scarce resource,” he added.
“We are engaged in an intensive nationwide borehole drilling and rehabilitation programme and we are establishing water troughs at functional boreholes.
“As people access water, spilled water drains into water troughs for livestock.
“The strategy is to reduce the distance walked by livestock in search of water.
“Responsible local committees will ensure water availability for livestock ad libitum (as much or as often as necessary or desired).”
Prof Jiri said farmers must not panic because the authorities were working on facilitating access to feeds.
“The Government is rolling out hay baling, with the bales transported to areas in dire need,” he said.
“We are providing survival rations and mineral supplementation, prioritising high-risk areas and more vulnerable animals.
“Additionally, we are conducting on-farm feed formulation and training, where the Department of Livestock and Research will train AARDS (Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services) extension officers on relevant feed formulation aspects.
“We encourage veld management by farmers through scouting and rouging of poisonous plants and noxious weeds, which may contribute to livestock mortalities,” said Prof Jiri.
He said there was need to acquire more livestock vaccines to ward off diseases, as cattle will likely move to high-risk areas in search of pastures.
“They include the foot-and-mouth disease and theileriosis (January disease).
“The Department of Veterinary Services will spearhead the distribution of veterinary drugs and acaricides.
“Anthrax and blackleg vaccination of cattle is also important, as the risk of the two soil-borne diseases is increased as they lick soil when feeding on small green grasses on depleted pastures,” he said.
“We are rolling out artificial insemination for better breeds as we continue establishing pasture green belts through intensive pasture-based irrigation facilities.
“Rangeland reclamation is also our top priority.
“We have invested in the acquisition of feed processing equipment such as hammer mills, chaff cutters and dip tank rehabilitation.”
Zimbabwe has lost more than 10 000 cattle since commencement of the 2023/2024 summer season largely due to poverty-related deaths caused by lack of resources, primarily feeds and water.
Masvingo and Matabeleland provinces have been the most affected.
Online Reporter