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“Matabeleland South stands to lose slightly more than 2 000 cattle between May and August because all the pastures in the seven districts of the province have since dried up due to erratic rains
“We will, however, only start recording the number of deaths in May and we urge Government to come up with all forms of intervention to save livestock from starving.
The situation is so bad and our fear is that it may cause a serious upset to farmers’ efforts in terms of livestock production,” said Dr Mangena.
Matabeleland South has a population of more than 530 000 cattle and over the years farmers have been losing their livestock because of the recurrent droughts that continue to dog the province.
Last year, between May and August, the province lost 2 000 cattle through starvation.
Matabeleland South, which is conducive to cattle ranching, receives less than 450 millimetres of rainfall per year, the lowest annual rainfall compared to the rest of the country.
Dr Mangena said they were yet to compile statistics on the number of deaths recorded so far.
The Member of Parliament for Beitbridge West, Cde Metrine Mudau, said some farmers in Beitbridge West had already started losing their cattle.
She urged the Government to consider extending the Grain Loan Scheme to livestock. The scheme, which was launched in December last year by the Government for rural provinces, assists each family with 50kg of maize, which villagers will pay back after harvesting their maize crop.
The Governor for Matabeleland South, Cde Angeline Masuku, at one time urged farmers in the province to revive feedlots to fatten their cattle.
Online Reporter