CATTLE farmers in Bulilima, Matabeleland South province, have engaged stockfeed suppliers to up their supplies to save their herds from the effects of the El Niño-induced drought that has depleted pastures around the district.
Speaking to Southern Eye recently, Bulilima District Farmers Association chairperson Dumisani Mantula said they were engaging commercial stockfeed companies, Sunset and National Foods, to supply them with feeds in bulk so as to save their herds from starvation.
He said while they were still waiting for the commercial companies to deliver the stockfeeds, they got grass bales from individuals and this was taken up by farmers in Dida village in ward 2.
“We got the grass bales from unregistered individuals and they delivered about 200 bags recently and several farmers bought the stockfeeds,” Mantula said.
“In most cases, farmers usually rely on maize stover to feed their livestock, but this year, harvests were very poor as a result of the drought and also there was no grass for livestock.
“This year, there is no stover in the fields. In the previous years, our livestock used to graze in the fields, but this year, there is nothing because of the drought.”
Mantula, however, revealed that no livestock deaths had been recorded this year, although there were fears the situation could get worse in the coming months.
“We have not registered any cases of cattle deaths so far, but we are living in fear that in the next few months, we may lose our livestock as the drought keeps worsening,” he said.
- Art helps Plumtree kids thrive
- Zimbabwean CE named among global leaders
- Mangwe farmers benefit from agric projects
- Art helps Plumtree kids thrive
Keep Reading
Mantula also said they were engaging established farmers to seek knowledge and ideas on how best they can protect their livestock against drought.
He appealed to the Plumtree Town Council to desist from impounding villagers’ cattle when they stray into the urban area, describing the practice as very unfair.
Plumtree Town Council is reportedly impounding cattle regularly when they encroach into its jurisdiction and making owners pay fines for violation of council by-laws.
