The government has banned people from selling cattle at the household level, as people are reportedly now panic selling their animals.
This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Vangelis Haritatos, recently.
Government Bans People From Selling Cattle
People wishing to sell their beasts must instead utilise village business unit (VBU) auctions at every ward. Because of the El Nino phenomenon, which affected the 2023/24 agricultural season and is causing severe droughts, farmers are panic selling livestock.
Deputy Minister Haritatos said:
“The Government has created village business units at ward level to assist farmers to realise the best value for their animals during sales.”
The government plans to coordinate sales at these units, attracting buyers, including abattoir operators. This initiative aims to standardise operations across all VBUs nationwide.
Additionally, VBUs will offer services such as fodder production, feed formulation, and processing facilities alongside watering points and feedlot amenities, all supported by multi-purpose solar-powered boreholes at each site.
The introduction of these measures seeks to safeguard livestock and promote sustainable agricultural practices amidst challenging climatic conditions.
ALSO READ: Zanu-PF Councillor Arrested in Cattle Theft Scandal: Accused of Selling Stolen Livestock to Local Abattoir
Plans To Mitigate Livestock Loss During The Drought
Zimbabwe, grappling with its most severe drought in four decades, declared a state of disaster in response to the crisis.
According to assessments conducted in April, regions with better conditions can expect sufficient grazing and water availability for up to nine months, contrasting sharply with the three-month supply in the hardest-hit areas. The assessment also identified nearly 2.9 million cattle across the country, with over 1.4 million deemed at risk due to the prevailing conditions.
“For this reason, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has developed a myriad of drought mitigation strategies to prevent losses in all livestock species, including beef, dairy cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and poultry. Preparations are still underway to capacitate VBUs to hold livestock sales with at least 900 so far confirmed ready,” Haritatos added.
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