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“As Government we made a thorough assessment of the drought situation and we realised that Matabeleland South was the worst affected province. We have set aside $1.4 million for survival stockfeed rations while $600 000 will go towards the purchasing of vaccines as well as transport to ferry the stockfeed to areas where farmers would easily access the stockfeed,” he said.
Mr Mupamhanga said a ministerial committee has since been set up to oversee the implementation of the programme.
He said the programme would also cover Matabeleland North, Masvingo, Midlands and parts of Manicaland province.
“We are giving Matabeleland South first priority because of the rate at which cattle are dying,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Mr Ngoni Masoka, said at least 152 830 cattle in Matabeleland South would be fed under the first phase of the programme.
He said they expected to get more funding from Government as the programme rolls to other affected provinces.
“The Government will continue to expand the programme and more funds will be released to save livestock, particularly cattle as they contribute to the economic growth of our country,” said Mr Masoka.
The Governor for Matabeleland South, Angeline Masuku, who was the guest of honour, said there was a serious shortage of pastures in most parts of the province.
“Matabeleland South is a drought-prone area and this year we have a serious shortage of pastures because of erratic rains.
“We therefore came up with a local initiative aimed at saving our livestock and managed to acquire 1 000 hay bales from neighbouring provinces, which we are now selling to local farmers at a reasonable price,” she said.
Governor Masuku said the stockfeed would be transported to local farmers soon.
Governor Masuku also urged other stakeholders to complement Government efforts to save livestock.
“We have engaged other stakeholders to assist us transport the stockfeed to farmers and they will access the stockfeed through a revolving fund and we are going to cover all the districts,” she said.
Governor Masuku also encouraged cattle farmers to consider introducing feedlots, saying it was an effective livestock survival strategy.
“Driving cattle from one district to another in search of pastures is just a temporary solution. I therefore urge farmers in Matabeleland South to come up with feedlots, which are a permanent solution to addressing the problem of livestock starvation,” she said.
The Matabeleland South provincial agricultural extension officer, Mr Bernard Muneri Sibanda, who also chairs the agriculture sub-committee in the province, on Monday urged non-governmental organisations to also consider introducing stockfeed packages for animals under their drought relief programmes as part of complementing Government efforts.
Matabeleland South has a population of 556 619 cattle and over the years farmers have been losing their livestock due to recurrent droughts.
According to the Department of Livestock Production and Development, farmers in the province have since the beginning of the year lost more than 500 cattle because of starvation.
Statistics indicate that Matobo District recorded the highest number of deaths with 314 cattle having succumbed to drought since January while 446 539 cattle are at risk across the province.
Last year between May and August, the province lost 2 000 cattle due to starvation.
Matabeleland South, which is conducive for cattle ranching, receives less than 450 millimetres of rainfall per year.
Online Reporter