Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
WITH steady rainfall across Zimbabwe, livestock are reportedly showing promising signs of recovery after enduring the intense heat and dryness of December’s prolonged dry spell.
The progress comes as the Government rolls out a major relief plan to support livestock farmers impacted by the El Niño-induced drought that caused significant losses last year.
Zimbabwe recorded over 50 000 cattle deaths due to food and water shortages, prompting the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Climate and Rural Development to introduce various mitigation measures aimed at safeguarding the national herd and curbing further losses.
In a recent update, the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) acting chief director, Mr Leonard Munamati said they were pleased to note the improved livestock conditions.
“The livestock situation has also improved. Our livestock condition is looking good ranging from fair to good. For the communal areas we have got those livestock still in fair condition because normally in the communal areas grazing is not very good but the condition has quite improved,” he said.
“In the commercial areas, the condition is very good with body condition of up to four and we encourage farmers to ensure that they continue dipping their livestock. They should also practice the three kraal rotational system where they change the kraal because of the heavy rains we are receiving.”
A livestock body condition score is a numerical rating that estimates an animal’s fat reserves and energy balance. It is a hands-on assessment that uses a scale based on the animal’s feel. The highest livestock body condition score is nine, which indicates a very fat animal, while one indicates a very thin animal.
Mr Munamati said farmers should make sure that they scout for pests in their pasture areas, while also preparing for silage.
“Farmers should now start preparing for the treatment of their harvested stover which they will store for supplementary feeding their animals. There is a need for sustainable livestock farming and promoting value-addition techniques for crop residues, enabling farmers to maximise feed resources and reduce waste.”
Meanwhile, in terms of crops, Mr Munamati said they were also in good condition, while farmers were also encouraged to continue scouting and controlling pests especially for the fall armyworm and African armyworm.
“Currently we have African armyworm outbreaks in five provinces, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland. They are all under control and farmers should report to their nearest Agritex officers if they have an outbreak of African armyworm. For fall armyworm farmers are encouraged not to control once but to keep on controlling until the crop reaches maturity stage,” he said.
He said they had also deployed pheromone traps across various provinces to monitor African armyworm presence.
Pheromone traps, which use chemical signals to attract insects, are being utilised to detect and monitor pest outbreaks. These traps are instrumental in early pest detection and management.
Mr Munamati said there was a need for effective weed control, warning that weeds compete with crops for essential resources like nutrients and water.
