Colletta Dube
Judith Phiri [email protected]
LIVESTOCK farmers have welcomed the introduction of the Zimbabwe Feed and Fodder Dashboard, describing it as a timely digital platform that will improve access to livestock feed information, strengthen planning and enhance climate resilience in the sector.
The platform, which was handed over to Government last month, was developed through a programme supported by the African Union and the African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) to address challenges related to livestock feed shortages and limited access to reliable information.
In an interview, livestock specialist and farmer Mr Mhlupheki Dube said the dashboard would be an important tool for both livestock farmers and feed manufacturers.
“Indications are that next rainfall season will be another El Niño phenomenon and in this part of the world, it means drought. This therefore calls for very deliberate and intentional preparations regarding livestock feed and fodder availability in order to avert calamitous livestock poverty deaths,” he said.
“Reminding ourselves that Government is looking at growing the livestock herd from the current 5,5 million to about 12 million in a few years ahead, hence the need to have a national feed and fodder dashboard platform to provide real-time and up-to-date status regarding feed and fodder for livestock.”
Mr Dube said the platform would support timely and informed planning by providing information on where farmers can source fodder seed, which is often difficult to find in most seed outlets.
He added that the dashboard would also offer technical guidance on fodder production and preservation.
“This platform will be essential in aiding preparation, preparedness and climate resilience for livestock farmers. Zimbabwe has vast potential in summer, winter and perennial grasses, as well as fodder crops such as lucerne, to reduce feed costs and improve livestock productivity,” he said.
Livestock farmer Mr Brian Siziba from Bubi District said the platform would help farmers identify where feed resources are available and improve decision-making, particularly during droughts and other emergencies.
“Some of the challenges we have as livestock farmers is knowing where feed is, how to access it and who we can work with in Government or other supporting partners. The platform will go a long way in addressing this,” he said.
Mr Siziba said the livestock sector has suffered heavy losses during drought years as water sources dry up and grazing land deteriorates, forcing farmers to rely on expensive supplementary feeding.
He added that livestock farmers in Matabeleland North have also been affected by outbreaks of tick-borne and viral diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and January Disease (Theileriosis).
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi