adminBlessing Rwizi Farming Correspondent
PRACTICAL Action has embarked on three-pen-cattle kraal construction in Mutasa District.
The three-year project which started in 2015 in Ward 11, 12 and 13 is expected to end in 2017.
Despite the less cattle in Mutasa district, the programme’s main aim is to improve cattle health and increase production since most of the small holder farmers earn their lives from livestock.
So far nine demonstration plots have been set around the three wards with 15 farmers having successfully constructed three pen kraals at their homesteads.
The three-pen-kraal design has a portion that allows the farmers to safely take close examinations at their cattle and treat their wounds or apply tick grease in places like ears, where deep water fails to reach.
The kraals also have a breeding section for the cattle as well as an animal food storage portion.
The kraals have a drainage that carries out water during the rainy season to help in animal hygiene. As a result, cattle do not sleep in mud and water.
One of the farmers in Sadziwa, Mr Regis Mutema said the system has become an eye opener to most animal farmers in Mutasa district.
“I am one of the 15 farmers who have successfully constructed the three-pen cattle kraal in Mutasa district. I have seen an improvement in my cattle production starting from September last year. Besides their quantity, one can even tell from the cattle’s physical appearance that they are becoming healthier as compared with the previous years.
“During the early days of this project, Practical Action took a lot of farmers in this district through workshops to let us know about the benefits of these kraals and for real we are seeing good results.
“We are hoping for the best and rapid increase in cattle production within the next two years. I’m encouraging more farmers to chip in and try this method,” said Mr Mutema.
In a separate interview with Practical Action project officer for Mutasa District, he said: “A number of farmers in this area rely on animal farming and we saw this project worthwhile. Therefore we are impregnating them with information that can take the future generations further even if our organization leaves after the end of this project.
“However farmers in this community are responding positively to the idea. They have not been difficult to work with over the past on year and I’m urging more farmers to join because this project accommodates every one.”
Online Reporter