By Delicious Mathuthu
Almost 1.5 million cattle in Zimbabwe are at risk of dying due to the El Nino induced drought currently gripping the country, the Ministry responsible for agriculture has said.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MoLAFWaRD)’s second Crop and Livestock Assessment (CLAFA2) conducted in April 2024 has revealed that the driest parts of the country include Masvingo, Matabeleland South and North, Midlands, and parts of Manicaland, which have only three months’ worth of grazing and drinking water for the approximately 2 882 710 cattle in the areas.
Taking proactive steps, Government has launched a comprehensive set of livestock drought mitigation strategies to prevent losses across all livestock species.
One of the key measures is the establishment of Village Business Units (VBUs) at ward level to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their animals during sales.
This aims to prevent panic selling and ensure farmers receive fair prices for their animals.
“This move is particularly significant as many farmers have resorted to panic selling due to the drought,” MoLAFWaRD Deputy Minister Hon. Vangelis Haritatos.
VBUs are meant to facilitate cattle sales, fodder production, feed formulation and processing, establishment of livestock watering points, and feedlot facilities.
Another measure being implemented by Government to ensure sustainable water supply, are multi-purpose solar-powered boreholes which will be installed at these VBUs.
Abattoir operators and other buyers will be coordinated to attend the ward-based sales, in what the Ministry says is streamlining the sales process and providing essential services to farmers at the grassroots.
The approach will be applied nationwide to support farmers and build resilience against future droughts, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development said.
