Sidumisile Mabena
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South Province has intensified efforts to safeguard its livestock sector after receiving seven hay balers and seven mowers under the Presidential Agricultural Input Programme in a move expected to significantly strengthen fodder production and drought preparedness.
The latest consignment comes at a critical time as the province intensifies hay baling activities targeting 700 000 bales this year, amid ongoing efforts to rebuild the national herd following devastating losses caused by the El Niño-induced drought.
Zimbabwe lost over 50 000 cattle in 2024 due to acute water and feed shortages, exposing the vulnerability of livestock farmers, particularly in semi-arid regions such as Matabeleland South, where cattle production is a key economic pillar.
Hay baling has since emerged as a vital intervention, providing an affordable and accessible source of feed for farmers who cannot sustain the high cost of commercial stock feeds. The programme, which largely targets smallholder farmers, is being implemented through a partnership between the Government and the private sector.
Last year, the province also received eight tractors to support hay production, with the newly delivered balers and mowers expected to enhance efficiency and scale.
Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) provincial director for Matabeleland South, Mrs Shupikai Sibanda, said the equipment will play a pivotal role in helping the province meet its ambitious target.
“As Matabeleland South, we appreciate the hay balers and mowers we received and this will complement the tractors, which we received last year. This is a major boost for livestock production. Our target as a province is to produce 700 000 hay bales,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda noted that hay baling activities have already started in Shangani, with Matobo among the next priority districts, as the Government moves to deploy equipment strategically to high-production areas.
“We will take the mowers and hay balers to the districts where we are doing most of our hay baling activities. This will mitigate against cattle deaths as we are targeting to increase our herd as a province,” she said.
Beyond production, the programme is also focused on improving accessibility, with plans to decentralise hay distribution to ward level to reduce transport costs and make the feed more affordable for communal farmers.
Mrs Sibanda urged farmers to prioritise fodder preservation and adopt complementary methods such as silage production, fodder cropping and the use of crop residues, including maize stover.
“Farmers should also invest in proper storage facilities and explore hay baling as a business opportunity. As a department, we will continue to capacitate and support farmers through extension services,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda emphasised that the Government’s thrust is to ensure that no livestock is lost due to lack of feed, encouraging irrigation farmers to allocate part of their land to high-yielding fodder crops to support vulnerable livestock such as goats and lactating animals.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South, Mrs Latiso Dlamini Maseko, the province’s director for finance, administration and human resources, Mr Edward Mandeya, said the intervention marks a major step in strengthening agricultural resilience.
She said livestock production remains one of the province’s main economic drivers and requires sustained support, particularly in the face of climate-induced shocks.
“We are grateful for this intervention as a province as livestock production is one of the drivers of our economy. We are a cattle region and good performance of cattle contributes towards ensuring food security,” she said.
Mrs Dlamini Maseko said the province’s heavy cattle losses last year highlighted the need for proactive interventions.
Mrs Dlamini Maseko urged farmers and stakeholders to ensure the machinery is fully utilised to maximise its impact.
Online Reporter