Government steps up to secure livestock sector

GOVERNMENT is implementing a raft of mitigatory measures to alleviate the adverse effects of climate change and El Nino-induced drought, urging farmers to be innovative with local resources to ensure livestock survival.

In declaring the El Nino-induced drought a state of disaster last week, President Mnangagwa said Government will also give equal priority to saving livestock in the wake of depleted pastures.

He said farmers will be supported to prevent deaths or distress sale of livestock, adding that the rebuilding of the country’s national herd will continue despite the drought. The Government has set a target of growing the national herd from the current 5,6 million to 11 million by the year 2030.

Under the Second Republic, the livestock value chain has been identified as a key pillar of the agriculture sector.

Speaking during a recent livestock research strategic review and planning workshop at Makoholi Research Institute in Masvingo Province, Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said the Government is drilling boreholes at strategic points.

He urged farmers to complement Government efforts in trying to save livestock by ensuring that their animals have access to water and feed.

“Government is taking proactive steps to ensure that no cattle die due to lack of feed and water. In the dry regions, we are going to ensure that there is water hence we have embarked on a borehole drilling programme,” said Prof Jiri.

“We want to ensure that in every village and at strategic points in every ward, there is water for livestock and feed.”

Prof Jiri said farmers should start preparing and stockpiling hay using the available grass.

“We want to ensure that hay baling is done where there is grass at the moment. We have been doing this since the rain season started and we would want to move those hay bales to areas where there is going to be feed shortage,” he said.

“In areas where there is still grass, we encourage farmers to ensure that they store it for the lean season to come.”

Prof Jiri also toured the Makoholi Research Institute farm where over 400 Mashona breed cattle and sheep are kept.

Makoholi is a Government research institute that is mandated to develop technologies for sustainable intensive livestock production systems within low rainfall regions.

Prof Jiri said farmers should make use of local produce.

“We encourage farmers to be innovative at a local level to be able to produce feed for livestock during the dry season. Government will come in to augment what farmers are doing at a local level,” he said.

Department of Livestock Research director Mr Andrew Chamisa urged farmers to utilise local resources to save animals during the drought period.

“Those with boreholes must build water truffles so that they can pump water for their animals. Farmers should also prepare feed for their animals using resources like urea-treatment of stover,” he said.

“We urge farmers to avoid veld fires because they will be destroying all the grass for animals. Drought is real so we have to be proactive as farmers in making critical decisions that are going to save animals.”