Farmers in Domboshava and Goromonzi have turned to zero tillage after losing cattle to tick-borne diseases, while others have resorted to donkeys for draught power.

The farmers lost their cattle to tick-borne diseases; theileriosis, popularly known a January disease, babesiosis, heartwater, anaplasmosis and sweating sickness.

Some of the farmers sold their cattle at give-away prices to avoid total loss.

Most farmers in the area told The Herald that they relied on their oxen for draught power and now that most of them no longer have cattle, they are left with no option than to prepare land manually.

Mrs Benadette Madiro from Shumba Village said she was now relying on zero tillage.

“We lost our cattle and we have since destroyed the cattle pens and used the poles for firewood,” she said.

“We cannot afford to hire tractors as we do not have money for fuel. There are some few farmers who are left with two or three beasts, and they cannot service the whole village.

“This season we are going to practice zero tillage. Those with resources are buying donkeys from Gokwe and Mhondoro for draught power.”

Mr Maxwell Chidhobhera of Denda Village said this season he was going to do ridges since he did not have enough draught power after losing his cattle to tick-borne diseases.

Mr Tichaona Hufa of Mashayamombe Village said he was lucky to remain with four beats out of the 18 he had.

“The pressure on the oxen has increased,” he said.

“I am one of the few lucky farmers who still have cattle, and here and there I assist my fellows.

“The dipping facilities are available and I always take my cattle for dipping. This has kept the remaining herd in good shape.”

The country has lost more than 80 000 cattle to tick-borne diseases.

Government recently allocated a supplementary budget of $67 626 000 to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement’s Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) for the procurement of dipping chemicals, vaccines and animal pest and disease surveillance to curb livestock deaths.