Programme to protect livestock

Theseus Mauruki Shambare

Herald Correspondent

THE Government has launched an extensive livestock protection programme to safeguard cattle worth an estimated US$920 million as Zimbabwe prepares for a possible drought during the 2026/27 summer season.

Authorities estimate that more than 2,2 million animals could be at risk if dry conditions materialise.

The intervention forms part of the Cabinet-approved Summer 2026/27 Plan, which places livestock survival alongside crop production at the centre of Government’s climate resilience strategy following forecasts of a drier-than-normal rainfall season.

The plan estimates that about 2,24 million cattle could be affected by drought, posing a significant threat to rural livelihoods, national food security and the country’s agricultural economy.

In an interview, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said the Government had already prioritised measures to ensure livestock survive the anticipated dry spell.

“We know that at the moment farmers may think livestock is not affected, but livestock will be affected from now until the next rainy season,” he said.

“So, livestock interventions become key — protecting livestock against diseases through dipping and vaccination, ensuring adequate feeding and improving animal nutrition.”

According to the Summer Plan, drought – induced livestock deaths would not only result in substantial economic losses but would also undermine genetic improvement programmes, reduce calving rates, lower milk production and weaken the resilience of communal farming systems.

Matabeleland South is projected to be the hardest-hit province, with 511 828 cattle likely to be affected, followed by Midlands (421 038), Manicaland (386 087), Masvingo (312 019) and Mashonaland Central (293 840).

Government has also warned that shortages of livestock feed could worsen unless mitigation measures are implemented urgently.

National fodder requirements for animals at risk are estimated at 551 828 metric tonnes against available stocks of just 94 154 tonnes, leaving a deficit of more than 457 000 tonnes.

To bridge the gap, Government will scale up fodder production and conservation, rehabilitate boreholes and dip tanks, solarise livestock water points, establish drought mitigation centres and strengthen nationwide disease surveillance.

The programme also includes vaccination campaigns against Foot-and-Mouth Disease, anthrax, blackleg, botulism and rabies, while enhancing tick control through the rehabilitation of dip tanks, improved acaricide distribution and integrated livestock health management.

Authorities will also regulate livestock movement into relief grazing areas through veterinary inspections, vaccination, animal identification and strengthened biosecurity measures to minimise the spread of disease during the drought period.

Government has identified 1 620 ward-based drought mitigation centres to support livestock during periods of water and feed shortages.

However, only 190 have so far been established, with work continuing to expand livestock watering and feeding facilities in vulnerable communities.

Prof Jiri said the interventions were designed to help farmers protect one of their most valuable productive assets while strengthening the resilience of Zimbabwe’s livestock sector against increasingly frequent climate shocks.

“We must ensure that farmers protect their livestock through timely disease control, adequate feeding and improved management as we prepare for the coming season.”