Miriam Mangwaya in Chivhu
Communal farmers in and around Chikomba district were left counting the costs of the recent cold spell that swept most parts of the country after they reportedly lost more than 70 beasts because of the extremely cold weather conditions. The cattle’s death had left most farmers in the district on the brink as regards their ongoing preparations for the 2017-18 farming season, as they relied on them for draught power.
Officials from the Department of Livestock Production and Development in Chikomba blamed the extremely cold weather that swept the district last weekend for causing the deaths. Acting Chikomba District Livestock Production and Development officer Mr Cosmus Ratsakatika said the breeding stock was the worst affected by the extreme weather. He said the situation had since stabilised after improvement in the weather conditions.
“Some communal farmers lost their cattle due to the very low temperatures that were recorded across Chikomba on Saturday and Sunday last week,” said Mr Ratsakatika. “Most of the affected farmers are from the Nharira area.”
The affected farmers said they were caught flat-footed by the cold weather and could not save their cattle.
“I lost three cattle worth about $900 and as a peasant farmer, I rely on cattle for draught power and this means I might have challenges in preparing for the forthcoming agricultural season because of this loss,’’ said Mr Rodwell Mudadi, a communal farmer from Masamha Village in Ward 15.
He said some farmers tried to save their cattle by providing warmth with fire, but the move was in vain because the cold conditions were ex- treme.