Sukulwenkosi Dube, Plumtree Correspondent
ABOUT 80 percent of maize crop that was planted in Bulilima District this farming season is a write off and even small grains have been affected.
According to a drought relief committee report released recently 163 livestock deaths had been recorded in the district between January 1 and February 3 this year.
Presenting the report during a meeting, Bulilima assistant administration officer, Ethel Maponga, said 22 livestock deaths had been recorded in Madlambuzi and Matjinge areas.
She said the land area ploughed by villagers this year was smaller compared to the previous farming season because of erratic rains.
“The area planted under maize in the 2015/2016 rainfall season is 1,715 hectares compared to 6,124, which was planted during the previous season. The targeted area was 11,730, which means that only 14,6 percent of targeted land was planted,” said Maponga.
“A total of 938 hectares is under sorghum compared to 4, 201 hectares last farming season.
“The target area for sorghum for this farming season was 8, 614 hectares, which means that only 10,9 percent was planted.”
Maponga said 1,531 hectares of millet had been planted throughout the district compared to 5,366, which was planted during the previous farming season. She said the targeted area for this farming season was 12,814 hectares.
She said a total of 5,635 hectares was ploughed this year compared to 18,170 hectares during the previous farming season.
Maponga said the poor grazing area has resulted in livestock deaths with cattle in the resettlement and communal areas being the worst affected.
“The livestock situation is worse in resettlement and communal farmers where farmers can’t afford to buy supplementary feeding. Rains that have been received so far have not improved the pastures,” she said.
“Water for livestock is also not adequate as water levels in the dams across the district are low.”
Maponga said some cattle had succumbed to diseases as villagers were not taking them for dipping because of their poor condition.
She said villagers were struggling to access water for domestic use as they had to walk long distances.
“Households have reduced their meals to as little as one meal a day due to shortage of food,” she said.
Maponga said in order to improve access to maize, the Grain Marketing Board had opened grain outlets in selected wards.