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Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) has expressed concern over the poor health of cattle across Masvingo Province due to the shortage of pastures.
This comes as the organisation is urging cattle farmers to buy supplementary feed to improve their herds as drought fears mount.
ZFU Masvingo regional manager Mr Jeremiah Chimwanda said reliance on draught power was no longer sustainable given the country’s plans of creating a green belt in the Lowveld.
“Our cattle, which are the main source of draught power in rural communities are in bad shape due to the rapid disappearance of pastures mainly because of overstocking, veld fires, among other things,” he said.
“This dry spell has also seen farmers travelling longer distances to watering points as those nearer to them are now dry. The energy used in searching water would have been utilised on the field.”
Mr Chimwanda said Government should start investing in tractors for rural wards as this would improve farmers’ efficiency when rains start falling.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter