Herald Reporter
Precious Manomano
GOVERNMENT is stepping up measures to protect livestock from the effects of the anticipated dry 2026/27 agricultural season, with Village Business Units (VBUs) with functioning water points being designated as livestock drought mitigation centres.
The centres will be equipped with livestock watering troughs and feed as Government moves to address potential water and feed shortages and protect the national herd.
According to the report presented at the Provincial Working Party Official Meeting on Agriculture held in Kadoma on Thursday last week, livestock body condition is currently rated between three and four nationally, considered satisfactory, but available water is estimated to last only five to six months.
Grazing distances are also becoming a concern in Mashonaland East, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands and Masvingo, where livestock are travelling between two and four kilometres to access grazing.
The report said the national feed requirement for cattle considered to be at risk stands at about 404 730 tonnes, against available feed of 261 120 tonnes, leaving a substantial shortfall.
The Government is expected to provide about 156 176 tonnes, with farmers and development partners expected to meet the balance.
To improve feed availability, a national mapping exercise is underway to identify existing silage stocks and facilitate redistribution from areas with surpluses to those facing shortages.
The exercise is being supported by the baling of wheat stover, with baler sets available in all provinces.
Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Mashonaland East have up to eight baler sets each.
The report also showed varying performance in hay baling, with Mashonaland West having achieved 129,6 percent of its target, while Manicaland and Matabeleland North had achieved only 27,2 percent and 17,2 percent, respectively.
The two provinces were flagged as critical, alongside Masvingo. Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said her province was strengthening drought preparedness, including the establishment and rehabilitation of drought mitigation centres.
Dr Chombo said 86 drought mitigation centres out of a targeted 156 had been established in the province, with efforts continuing to improve the condition of the remaining centres.
She said livestock interventions, including vaccinations and drought mitigation measures, were also being intensified.
The national report said the Government was targeting the vaccination of one million cattle against anthrax in 2027 as part of measures to protect livestock from disease outbreaks during the difficult season.
The National Tick Control Programme will use 4 212 dip tanks, spray races, Ward Drought Mitigation Centres and pour-on acaricides to control ticks and reduce the incidence of tick-borne diseases.
Minister Chombo also highlighted preparations for the 2026/27 cropping season, with farmers in Mashonaland West already preparing their Pfumvudza plots.
The province has prepared 283 291 plots, equivalent to about 17 677 hectares, according to figures presented by the minister.
The preparations are intended to ensure farmers are ready to plant when effective rains begin and strengthen climate adaptation during the coming season.
The drought mitigation programme is also being complemented by the Government’s efforts to diversify livestock and household income through poultry, goats and fisheries.
About 3 058 303 chicks have been distributed under the Presidential Poultry Scheme, while 6 897 goats have been distributed under the Presidential Goat Scheme.
The Government is targeting the distribution of two million fish fingerlings during the 2026/27 season to promote fisheries production.
The measures come as the Government prepares farmers and communities for potentially challenging rainfall conditions during the 2026/27 season, with the focus on securing water, feed and animal health while maintaining agricultural production.
The interventions are expected to help farmers preserve livestock assets and reduce the impact of prolonged dry spells on rural livelihoods and food security.
Source: Government steps up livestock drought preparations – herald
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