By Evans Dakwa, recently in Dumba
Beitbridge – With the next significant rains still four months away, cattle farmers in the Dumba area are feeling the harsh effects of the El Nino-induced drought. The severe water shortage has left livestock struggling with tree barks becoming the main source of feed.
The crisis goes beyond just feed as farmers are facing a daunting challenge in providing drinking water for their cattle.
“The closest water points have all dried up, and we’re having to travel kilometers to get water for our cattle,” said a local farmer, who spoke to Ziyah News Network.
“If we fail to supply them with adequate water, they stray far and wide, even crossing into neighbouring South Africa in search of water, and we do face challenges tracking them across,” she added
The situation is dire, with the El Nino drought showing no signs of relenting. While there is hope that the drought may be coming to an end with the onset of highly anticipated rains, farmers and their animals will have to endure the next months.
The appeal amongst farmers here is for the Government to increase the number of available boreholes as they have become the source of water for both humans and animals.
The plight of the cattle farmers highlights the urgent need for intervention to mitigate the effects of the drought. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the fate of the livestock and the livelihoods of the farmers hang in the balance.