The ManicaPost
Wimbainashe Zhakata, Farming Correspondent
THE livestock situation in Manicaland is expected to improve significantly following the recovery of grazing pastures and water bodies triggered by rains experienced in the province since last week.
Agritex head Mrs Philipa Rwambiwa told The Manica Post on Wednesday that recent rains have rejuvenated grazing pastures across the province.
“The rains have raised hope for livestock farmers given that grazing pastures and water levels have improved across Manicaland,” she said.
The crop and livestock situation report released last week reveals that the general body condition of cattle ranged from poor to fair in the Lowveld areas and fair in the Highveld parts of the province.
“The livestock condition was likely to deteriorate in the drought-prone parts of the province as the season progresses,” reads part of the report.
The report also shows that livestock drinking water is still insufficient in the province, except in the Lowveld areas.
“In some instances livestock move more than five kilometres to get drinking water.
“In areas such as Buhera South and Chipinge South cattle share borehole water with humans”.
Dipping continues to be insufficient in communal areas due to shortage of dipping chemicals, hence smallholder farmers were urged to buy acaricides to dip their cattle.
Makoni, Mutare and Buhera have reported an outbreak of the tick-borne disease theileiriosis, which is largely known as the January disease.
The disease has killed thousands of cattle.
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) provincial manager Mr Daniel Mungazi said the pastures will only fully recover if the rains continue into March.
“A significant improvement on the pastures is expected if the province continues to receive good rains until the end of the second half of summer.
“However, the cattle condition ranges from fair to good in most parts of the province.
“The pastures’ condition was on the declining trend due to poor rains between October and January,” said Mr Mungazi, who urged farmers to continue dipping their animals to prevent diseases.
“Farmers are encouraged to follow the intense dipping programme to curb tick-borne diseases, which are the major problem during this time of the year,” he said.
