Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE recent rainfall activity around the country is expected to provide relief to livestock farmers with a total of 1 488 523 described as high-risk animals and 8 097 poverty deaths recorded so far for the 2023/24 season.
Latest statistics provided by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development indicate that Matabeleland South Province remains the most affected having lost 4 736 animals followed by Matabeleland North Province (2 517), Midlands Province (741) and lastly Masvingo Province (103). The Government has, however, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the national herd is saved and has moved in with various mitigation measures.
In the weekly Ministry’s Directorate of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) report, acting Agritex director, Mr Leonard Munamati said over one million cattle have been identified as high-risk animals.
“In the four affected provinces, a total of 1 488 523 cattle were identified as high-risk animals prone to drought conditions and poverty deaths out of a total of 2 882 710 animals,” he said on the livestock production and development update.
He said no cattle poverty deaths were reported last week. On the grazing and drinking water quality and availability, Mr Munamati said mild to hot weather conditions were experienced in most parts of the country with substantial rainfall activity also being recorded.
“Trekking distances to water sources have significantly reduced to within a kilometre (km) in most parts of the country as a result of the rains being received. Veld condition is widely improving with the early season flush providing grazing although it is not yet adequate countrywide. Livestock body condition is still widely poor to fair around the country but expected to improve in the interim,” he said.
Among the mitigation measures, the Government launched an intensive programme where it is drilling boreholes for humans and livestock in the most affected areas, especially communal areas where dams have dried up. In a previous interview, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri said they were working tirelessly to increase the national herd from the current 5,6 million to 6 million by 2025.
On the Presidential Rural Poultry Scheme, Mr Munamati said 13 570 birds were distributed in Inyanga District, Manicaland Province during last week.
“This is the first reported distribution for the current year. A total of 20 000 birds are expected to be delivered to Insiza District in Matabeleland South Province sometime this month. Cumulative deliveries from January 2023 to date now stand at 821 692 birds while the total number of birds that were distributed in the previous year (2023) stand at 808 122,” he said.
He said for the Presidential Goat Scheme, no deliveries were made this last week, while since inception 6 897 goats had been distributed as of 25 August 2023.
On youth hubs, Mr Munamati said no births or mortalities were recorded during last week and the herd currently stands at 628 animals comprising 120 cows, 13 bulls, 91 heifers, 153 weaners (91 males, 62 females) and 101 calves.
“Several issues need to be clarified on the youth hubs management especially management of the farms and co-ordination of their development. Currently, there are several challenges being encountered with the labour situation being the most critical.
“Due to delays or non-payment of allowances to the hired casual labour, most of them have since deserted the herds. Without full-time attention and accountability, there is a lot of room for abuse thus the issue needs to be resolved urgently.”
On the fisheries and aquaculture development, Mr Munamati said there were 33 stocked dams, with 275 000 fingerlings distributed and 134 ponds stocked with 175 000 fingerlings.
He said a total 18 000 fingerlings were harvested from Radco and Henderson Research Station, while a total of 14 000 fingerlings were stocked at New Valley Farm in Mazowe.
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