The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga, Senior Farming Reporter
THE Agricultural Rural Development Authority (Arda) is set to establish 2 000 hectares of pastures in the Matabeleland region as part of its efforts to counter the loss of livestock by rural communities due to drought.
In an interview, Arda board chairman Mr Basil Nyabadza said the development was as a result of the drought caused by El Nino which is threatening to wipe out thousands of cattle in the region.
According to Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Ministry’s livestock department more than 350 000 cattle in Matabeleland South may face death due to drought as there is little water or pasture.
Mr Nyabadza said considering the value of livestock in the Matabeleland region, the Government was concerned with maintaining the animals hence the urgency of the project.
“As part of the rural development portfolio, Arda will develop 2 000ha of land for annual production of pastures. A variety of grass will be grown to feed the threatened livestock within the two provinces.
“Due to climate change and minimal rainfall patterns, it is now necessary for Arda to dedicate at least part of its land for the pastures,” said Mr Nyabadza.
He said the authority would open up new land in the next three months and added that at the moment they were in the process of identifying potential investors in the business venture.
Mr Nyabadza said goats, sheep, cattle and wildlife would all benefit from this venture.
“We have identified one of our estates which retains sufficient water as best suited to carry out this exercise,” he said, adding that he was not at liberty to disclose which estate as discussions were still underway.
He said the plight of the rural communities could not be ignored as many people depend on livestock for survival.
Matabeleland falls under ecological regions 4 and 5 where livestock breeding is the main business.
“Considering that these areas are cattle hubs, this exercise will be undertaken in the shortest possible time,” Mr Nyabadza said.
Farmers in the region have blamed bush fires for depleting pastures.
Matabeleland South region has about 556 619 cattle contributing about 10 percent to the national herd.
Matabeleland region used to be the country’s prime cattle producing area but recurrent droughts since 1992 reportedly killed about 60 percent of the province’s head.
