Innovative farmer defies drought in Umguza District

AS Zimbabwe battles an El Niño-induced drought, Mr Clayton Sibanda of Merryland Farm in Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province, has emerged as a beacon of hope by implementing innovative techniques to safeguard his cattle from starvation.

Through pen feeding, a well on his property and homemade silage, Mr Sibanda has kept his herd healthy, defying the harsh conditions affecting many farmers across the country.

Last Friday, Mr Sibanda hosted a field day on his farm, where community members and officials from the Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) praised his resilience.

The event highlighted his success in adapting to the drought and showcased the methods he used to preserve his livestock.

“I made the wise decision to make silage for my livestock from my failed crop so that my livestock could have food when the drought got worse,” explained Mr Sibanda.

“I am constantly monitoring my cattle, especially for diseases. I am happy for the knowledge I acquired from the Agritex officers, which has tremendously helped me to be a successful farmer.”
He credited his success to the valuable advice from Agritex extension officers and his commitment to closely monitoring his animals’ health.

Mr Sibanda’s homemade silage, made from a mixture of maize stalks and molasses, is suitable for cattle, goats and sheep. He plans to experiment with a new type of silage made from dry maize stalks mixed with urea concentration, specifically for cattle.

His wife, Ms Thokozile Ngwenya, also emphasised the importance of quick adaptation. “We realised that the drought would affect our livestock, so instead of selling off many animals, we sold just one to buy inputs like molasses, which helped us save the herd,” she said.

Dr Sithokozile Sibanda, Ardas director for livestock production and development, commended the couple’s innovative approach.

“I am impressed by what I have seen here. I like how self-sustainable this home is. This is a great example of what farmers across the country should be doing,” she said, praising their attention to animal health and nutrition, despite the drought.

Ardas chief director, Mr Leonard Munamati also lauded the Sibandas for complementing Government drought-mitigation efforts.

“Self-starters like Mr Sibanda and his wife make the load lighter for everyone. This highlights the importance of farmers and stakeholders collaborating on strategies to ensure water and feed availability during times of drought, ensuring the long-term survival of livestock,” he said.

To address nutrition issues affecting the livestock industry, the Government has introduced the Presidential Silage Scheme, the Presidential Legume Pasture Programme and the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme, to mitigate water shortage and improve access to irrigation and drinking water.

Government has also introduced the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan, a blueprint with strategies to improve livestock production and productivity. One of the pillars addressed in the growth plan is livestock nutrition.

Livestock and livestock products contribute significantly to the Zimbabwean economy, with cattle accounting for 35 to 38 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) contributed by the agricultural sector.

Ardas recently underscored the need for livestock farmers to have at least a plot of fodder and a source of clean water to improve their livestock’s nutrition.

Ardas said that the establishment of dedicated fodder plots was crucial for ensuring the survival and productivity of livestock during challenging times.

The production of feed is expected to reduce the cost of commercial feed and improve cattle production and profitability to enable farmers to realise the full value of their livestock.

The effects of the El Niño drought are tightening their grip on Zimbabwe’s rural communities, forcing desperate farmers to sell off their prized livestock — primarily goats and cattle — to abattoirs, butcheries and middlemen at heavily discounted prices.