adminMatabeleland South is regarded as the country’s premier ranching zone but has been hit by droughts in the past few years, which has resulted in farmers losing livestock to starvation.
In an interview yesterday, Matabeleland South Governor Angeline Masuku said more than 2 000 bales of hay have been stocked since the arrival of the tractors three weeks ago.
“We have been given 10 tractors by the President for hay cutting and three are already on the ground doing work in Shangani.
“This is a good programme and according to the reports I got, more than 2 000 bales have been stocked so far,” said Governor Masuku.
“After Shangani the teams will move to Matopos area to cut more hay. We have engaged the authorities there and they have agreed.
“The whole idea is to ensure that we save the national herd from starvation.
“This will make stock feed cheaper for farmers in the province than when we were getting it from the Midlands.”
The Governor said she was happy with the timely intervention.
She said efforts were underway to officially launch the project and called for stakeholder involvement in ensuring that all farmers got enough stock feed.
Insiza North House of Assembly member and Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman Cde Andrew Langa concurred, saying the tractors had arrived in his constituency and hay harvesting was underway.
“We have received three tractors so far but altogether they are 10. Other tractors are on their way.
“The tractors are here to cut hay that will assist livestock farmers in all districts in the province,” said Cde Langa.
“As we speak the teams are busy cutting hay in Shangani area and have stocked many bales.
“Once the cutting has been completed the office of the Governor through Agritex will schedule how the feed will be distributed to needy areas.”
Matabeleland South has seven districts; Gwanda, Insiza, Bulilima, Mangwe, Matobo, Beitbridge and Umzingwane.
Cde Langa paid tribute to President Mugabe for extending a helping hand to the province.
“As Matabeland South we welcome this programme, which will assist a lot of farmers.
“The Government has always assisted its people and this time around we are happy that the intervention programme came early.
“This is a Government programme and we urge other farmers in the province who have tractors to join in and help others,” he said.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union deputy president in the commodities sector, Mr Earnest Ndlovu, praised President Mugabe’s initiative and urged farmers to support it.
“We are aware of the programme and this is what we have been urging farmers to do.
“Since last year’s drought we have been encouraging farmers to work in groups and set up feed-lots in their areas so that when interventions like this come, everyone would benefit instead of an individual,” said Mr Ndlovu.
“I am glad that farmers in districts such as Matobo and Bulilima have already set up such facilities with the help of their rural districts council and district administrators.”
Online Reporter