Statistics from the district administrator’s office indicate that of the 44 000 vulnerable households, 8 121 have benefited from Government’s drought relief programme.(Top) Clever Mbonyeya of Chapo village under Chief Musikavanhu of Chipinge district inspecting the carcass of one of the cattle which died near a shallow stream where it had gone to drink water. (Bottom) A cow lies dead along the Chisumbanje-Tanganda road .
It is understood that the shocking decline of cattle prices has been caused by lack of pastures and water sources, owners cannot afford supplementary feeds.
Maize prices, conversely, have shot up and a bucket of the staple is going for as much as US$10.
The worst affected villages are Kondo, Maronga, Dumisayi, Mwacheta, Masimbe, Chibuwe, Maunganidze, Bangwe, Musani, Tanganda, Manesa, Mutema, Rimbi, Gumira, Manzvire, Chisavanye, Mariya, Rimai, Madhuku, Chisumbanje, Vheneka, Chinyamukwakwa, Mabee, Chisuma and Maparadze.
It is a situation that has been perfectly exploited by the well-resourced and those in the business of cattle fattening, buying the beasts for a song from the desperate.
Cattle fatteners have targeted the area and set up base there.
During our recent visit, thin cattle were munching tree leaves and other bushy plants as what were once pastures lay barren.
Despite the area receiving decent rainfall recently, fears are rife that by the time rains begin to be consistent much of the herd would have been wiped out.
Chiefs and local authorities have called for Government intervention.
Chipinge district administrator Mr Edgars Seenza said: “The situation has been pretty bad particularly in Chipinge rural, in the areas surrounding Checheche.
“However, with the help of non-governmental organisations we have started the programme of providing relief aid to the vulnerable but it’s not enough and we have allocated to a few people so far.
“So we appeal to those who can come up with help to do so because the situation is now rather dire.”
Mr Seenza said statistics at the beginning of November showed that 603 head of cattle had died.
Chief Musikavanhu, whose jurisdiction covers some the most-affected areas, warned that his subjects risked losing their wealth.
“The situation is now beyond us and our only hope is that Government will intervene because if we continue like this people will lose their livestock and wealth meaning that the poverty will get worse,” he said.
“Relief is coming but it is very little and it is only being given to the vulnerable households.
“So the rest are selling their cattle at give-away prices because if they don’t the cattle may die and these people also need money to buy grain.”
The Chief’s aide, Mr Gabelo Musikavanhu, added: “For as little as US$20, US$50 or US$100, one can buy a cow in lowveld wards of Chipinge.”
Sekuru Kosanai Gumepi of Muumbe Village under Chief Musikavanhu said they were cutting tree branches so that cattle feed on the leaves.
“Things are not good at all, both people and livestock; we are starving,” he said.
“As we speak a cattle from the next plot just died on the other side of the mountain.
“Cattle are dying because there are no grazing areas and most owners cannot afford to buy stock feeds.
“So instead of keeping cattle which can die anytime, it’s better to sell at a cheaper price and use the money to buy grain.
“It appears unbelievable but that is what is exactly taking place here and our wealth is being destroyed.”
Mr Fredrick Rugoho said they now lived at the mercy of cattle-fatteners.
“Those who usually buy are people in cattle-feeding schemes and they are offering money on a take-it or leave-it basis so you end up selling because you know that the cattle will die if you remain with it.
“Maybe if Government organised for us some feeding schemes our cattle would not die and we will not be ripped by these people.”
Compounding the situation in Chipinge is a recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which restricted people from cattle to areas with better water and pastures.
Chipinge has recorded a streak of poor rains in recent years despite lying in the heart of farming Region One, which receives some of the highest rainfall in the country. around the world , Top Trending
