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Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
THE Government has begun carrying out a second nationwide crop and livestock assessment to ascertain the exact magnitude and severity of the prevailing drought.
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Douglas Karoro who is in charge of irrigation and mechanisation confirmed that the second round of the crop and livestock assessment was underway.
“I can confirm that the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement has begun a second round of crop and livestock assessment. The main objective being to ascertain the exact magnitude and severity of the drought,” he said.
He said Cabinet requested the ministry to institute the second round of assessments to ensure that proper drought mitigatory measures were put in place.
“Assessment teams are currently in the field. We expect the programme to be finalised by end of April. A full report on the assessment shall be made public then,” said Dep Minister Karoro.
Matabeleland South Department of Crop and Livestock provincial officer Mrs Simangaliphi Ngwabi said a team of officials from the department completed the process of gathering the requisite information from the districts on Friday.
Mrs Ngwabi, however, said the province had lost most of its maize crop due to the prolonged dry spell.
Matabeleland North Department of Crop and Livestock provincial officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni also confirmed that the crop and livestock assessment was underway in his area of jurisdiction.
Online Reporter