ZIMBABWE – In response to a prolonged drought exacerbated by an El Niño weather pattern, Zimbabwe has rolled out an emergency feeding initiative aimed at protecting its vital cattle population.
The Zimbabwean government has implemented this urgent program to shield its livestock, which are crucial to the livelihoods of rural communities and national food security.
As drought conditions continue to worsen, the government has fast-tracked the distribution of critical livestock feed to the most affected regions.
The Herald reports that this aid includes shipments of hay bales, silage, salt blocks, and other necessary supplies, which are being delivered by truck across the country.
The Ministry of Agriculture has customized these deliveries to address the needs of approximately 2.8 million cattle, which are struggling with severe water and feed shortages.
The dire situation has led to increased cattle deaths and diminished productivity, posing a significant threat to rural economies.
In response, the government is also reaching out to private sector partners to bolster these emergency efforts and safeguard the cattle population.
The current crisis follows an earlier emergency feeding policy announced a month ago to protect Zimbabwe’s 5.7 million cattle.
At that time, the drought had already led to the loss of nearly 10,000 cattle, with an additional 2 million at risk due to severe water shortages.
The government has also initiated projects to build water troughs and restore dip tanks to combat livestock diseases.
The livestock and fodder sector plays a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s agricultural and livestock economy, with dairy farming being a significant contributor to the nation’s agricultural GDP.
Cattle alone account for 35-38% of this GDP.
Zimbabwe’s agricultural strategy focuses on three main priorities: enhancing fodder availability, improving dairy farming practices, and supporting smallholder farmers.
These measures aim to build a more resilient and productive agricultural sector, ensure food security, boost rural incomes, and promote sustainable agricultural development.
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