Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-The government plans to take advantage of the current rains to expand the establishment of fodder reserves to address critical feed shortages for livestock during the dry season, a senior official has said.

Deputy director in the Department of Livestock Production Rutendo Nyahoda said this during a media briefing on Thursday. “As a country, we have been focusing on food reserves, but it is high time we also prioritise fodder reserves to prevent livestock losses during the lean or dry seasons,” she said.

Nyahoda highlighted the importance of capitalising on the current rainy season to harvest and store herbage for future use. “Given the current rains, we know that there is significant herbage growth. If harvested at the proper time, this can be used to create feed reserves for livestock during the dry season,” she explained.

The move comes in the wake of a severe livestock crisis triggered by last year’s El Niño-induced drought, which claimed the lives of 3 500 cattle in Matabeleland South province alone, while over 2.3 million cattle across the country are at risk of starvation due to prolonged dry spells and inadequate feed supplies.

Climate change, poor grazing management, and limited fodder production have put the the Zimbabwean livestock sector, a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy, under immense strain.

The government’s new strategy aims to address these challenges by integrating fodder production into both intensive and extensive livestock systems. “We need to address fodder production as a value chain, ensuring that all policy and strategic issues are aligned across different elements of the sector. Fodder production should supply animal feed for all types of livestock systems,” Nyahoda added.

She added that increasing fodder production would not only safeguard livestock but also reduce farmers’ reliance on expensive commercial feed. “By boosting fodder production, farmers can expect lower feed costs, which will positively impact downstream industries and enhance the competitiveness of livestock products,” she said.

To support these efforts, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has distributed 1 500 tons of stock seed to 3 000 households, aiming to strengthen on-farm feed formulation and fodder production.

Additionally, the FAO is facilitating access to quality fodder seeds by linking farmers to Livestock Business Centres (LBCs). The initiative marks a critical step in the country`s efforts to build resilience in its livestock sector, which supports the livelihoods of millions, particularly in rural areas.

New Ziana