WATCH: Matabeleland farmers adopt Government measures to save livestock

Judith Phiri, Business Reporter 

FARMERS in the Matabeleland region have started adopting Government mitigatory measures put in place to save their livestock from the effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which has seen pastures depleted. 

The Matabeleland region lost more cattle to poverty deaths in the last six months compared to other areas, with the Government responding by rolling out various mitigation measures to protect the national herd.

In a recent cattle destocking frenzy, more farmers have laid off stock in the face of a crippling drought, while some lost their animals for a song to unscrupulous businesspeople who were offering as little as US$150 for a full beast. 

Concerned with the situation on the ground, the Government has said a multi-stakeholder approach of Government, private players and farmers coming together is critical to rescue the affected areas. 

The Government is also moving in with strategies such as hay baling, drilling of boreholes, and provision of stockfeed subsidies in partnership with agriculture and food security development organisations.

In an interview at the recently held Farmers Great Indaba in Bulawayo, Esigodini farmer, Ms Sizalobuhle Sibanda said through collaboration, as farmers they could save their livestock. 

“The reason most farmers are losing their cattle is that they are going at it alone, I for one lost about six cattle from October to January. So if we come together to put into practice mitigatory measures being rolled out by the Government and of course, with each other’s assistance, something can come out,” she said. 

“Also approaching financial institutions or stockfeed suppliers alone does not yield any benefit to a farmer, but if you work together we can support each other to ensure we all benefit as farmers in our area.”

She called on farmers not to take lightly training programmes being rolled out that can equip them with skills and tools to prepare animal feeds well in advance by producing fodder crops, on-farm feed formulation and stock up on hay and crop residues among other things. 

Brahman Breeders Society of Zimbabwe deputy president, Mr Mcebisi Ndlovu said farmers should sell their animals when it is only necessary. 

“Farmers should not rush to destock but carefully select those they need to sell. Destocking should be used as a strategy to effectively manage herd numbers when there is less feed available. However, if done hastily, as farmers you will see that it can lead to a reduction in the breeding stock, which may affect future production,” he said. 

Livestock specialist and columnist, Mr Mhlupheki Dube called on banks to come to the aid of farmers by providing loans for stock feed and borehole drilling as well as stock feed manufacturers to collaborate with farmers. 

He said contract farming at feedlots by abattoir operators could come to the rescue of farmers, while they could also do cattle for stock feed swap among other initiatives. 

In a speech read on behalf on his behalf by the Acting Chief Director for the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services, Mr Leonard Munamati, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri, said the Indaba was a good platform for farmers to voice their concerns.

Prof Jiri said a multi-stakeholder approach was critical to rescue the affected areas, as that would ensure Government mitigatory measures are successfully implemented and they yield results. 

“I must mention that farmers in this region (agro-ecological regions 4 and 5) remain the Government’s top priority in terms of the structural and non-structural drought mitigation measures including the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, construction of dams for irrigation purposes, input support, training and extension services,” he said.

Among some of the key 14 livestock drought mitigation measures, the Permanent Secretary said they include the need to expedite hay bailing and silage making, with 10 000 boreholes targeted to be drilled by the end of the year and setting up of livestock drought mitigation taskforces. 

“Make the measure user-friendly it is you who should be able to come up with specific ways of how do we implement and make these helpful. Also, make suggestions where possible on how best we can go about it as the Government as you are well aware of your areas,” he said.