Source: Govt to reintroduce feed lots to save livestock | Sunday Mail (Top Stories)

Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau

Vice President Kembo Mohadi says Government is considering the re-introduction of feedlots, among a raft of other measures meant to mitigate the effects of last season’s El Nino-induced drought.

He said Government is also engaging a number of companies to address the nation’s food deficits.

VP Mohadi made the remarks in an interview on the sidelines of the National Clean-Up event recently held at Pagomba Café in Beitbridge’s Ward 5.

“We are not going to leave any stones unturned in ensuring food security,” he said.

“This is not the first time for us to experience such a devastating drought. We had a similar situation in 1992, where Government had to step in and save the national herd from depletion.

“We came up with what became known as feedlots, where farmers took their cattle for feeding, and they survived.

“For instance, here in Beitbridge, we have one such place at Tshapfuche (Ward 5). We may need to revive that so that we give fodder to the livestock.

“We will bring fodder or hay from other areas that had better rains.

“This will be rolled out in phases.”

Matabeleland South, Masvingo and part of Midlands, VP Mohadi added, hold most of the country’s national herd.

He said livestock production is a source of livelihood, adding that it contributes a lot towards national economic development.

Further, the World Food Programme (WFP) says following last season’s El Nino-induced drought, nearly 5,3 million people are food insecure this year.

The Vice President went on to stress that food relief programmes will be apolitical.

“Let me also reiterate that no one will starve to death. Though we have a deficit of 800 000 tonnes of grain, there are contingent plans to import maize from either Zambia or the companies who have always supported us whenever we had problems,” he said.

“We are going to make it a point that people don’t starve, that will be across the board. In short, the programme will be apolitical.”

The country’s national herd is estimated at around 5,2 million.

However, most cattle are said to be at high risk of succumbing to effects of the El Nino-induced drought.