Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has intensified hay baling in Matabeleland South with a target of producing 635 000 hay bales by the end of August.
The critical move is aimed at averting livestock feed shortages and preventing poverty deaths during the dry season.
The intervention, led by the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas), is part of the drought mitigation strategy following erratic rainfall patterns in the 2023/24 rainfall season, which left thousands of livestock at risk across the province due to depleted pastures.
Hay baling provides an affordable alternative to commercial stock feed, which is out of reach for many communal and smallholder farmers. The programme is targeting farmers at ward level to improve access to nutritious feed and reduce transportation costs.
In addition to hay, farmers are also baling nutrient-rich fodder crops to boost livestock health and productivity.
In an interview, Matabeleland South Ardas Deputy Director Mr Bhekilizwe Ncube, stated that the baling programme commenced last month and is being implemented through a joint effort by the Government and private sector partners across the province.
“Government, working with partners, has rolled out training on hay production and baling techniques. Private players have already started cutting and baling on farms, State land and along roadsides,” he said.
To meet growing demand, Mr Ncube said they are scaling up production through the mobilisation of more baling equipment.
He said the ultimate goal is to make hay accessible at ward level, reducing transport costs and improving affordability.
“Hay selling points will be established at ward level. We also want to increase and accelerate hay production to capture its nutritive value,” said Mr Ncube.
He said the province is targeting 635 000 hay bales, translating to 9 525 tonnes of dry mass, to meet the needs of livestock farmers during the peak of the dry season.
Matabeleland South, a predominantly livestock-producing province, has suffered heavy livestock losses in recent drought years. Last year, Matabeleland South experienced a significant loss of cattle due to drought-induced malnutrition and water shortages. The province recorded more than 10 000 cattle deaths. The current drive aims to avert a repeat of that sad chapter.
Mr. Ncube stressed the importance of hay baling in preserving livestock and sustaining cattle production.
“Hay is an affordable, highly nutritious feed. Farmers must prioritise their production as it plays a crucial role in keeping livestock healthy and productive, especially during drought conditions,” he said.
Mr Ncube urged all farmers, including communal and small-scale farmers, to adopt livestock feed preservation methods such as fodder production, silage making and crop residue utilisation, such as using maize stover enhanced with urea ammonification.
“Smallholder farmers can come together to purchase equipment and share resources. Proper hay storage and exploring market opportunities are also important, as hay production can be a lucrative business,” he said.
Mr Ncube said Ardas will continue supporting and capacitating farmers through its network of extension officers, with a strong focus on improving feed availability to enhance food and livestock security.
“The Government’s thrust is that no animal should die from poverty. One death is too many. The 2024 drought was a wake-up call, and farmers who had preserved hay managed to avert significant losses,” he said.
Mr Ncube also urged irrigation farmers to dedicate portions of their land to high-yield fodder grass or crops, particularly for small stock and lactating animals.
“Farmers with larger arable lands should fence off and reserve areas for fodder production. Our goal is for at least 20 percent of all irrigated land in the province to be under fodder. This is more sustainable than relying on crop residue, which lacks sufficient nutrients,” he said.
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