Recurrent droughts, stemming from insufficient rainfall, pose a severe threat to livestock and are exacerbating the risk of hunger and starvation in Chipinge communities.
This alarming situation is unfolding against the backdrop of a deteriorating economic climate in the country.
In rural areas, where livelihoods are closely tied to agriculture, the absence of livestock compounds the challenges faced by farmers. Livestock not only serve as assets but are also integral to essential tasks such as land cultivation and various agricultural activities.
Oyster Mtetwa, residing in Huchenani village, emphasizes the direct link between his well-being and the presence of livestock, expressing that without them, he is economically disadvantaged.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory, aim to eliminate poverty and hunger while ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. However, the reality on the ground paints a stark picture of livestock loss due to frequent droughts since 2003.
Mtetwa highlights the distressing trend of selling cattle to “makorofiya” (cattle dealers) at meagre prices due to uncertainty about the animals’ survival amid critical pasture shortages. This dire situation has led to a decline in the once-prized livestock assets.
“All the years before, livestock were assets that we could pride ourselves on but since from around 2003 when drought became an almost yearly routine, we have watched in agony as we lost herds of cattle due to critical shortage of pastures,” says Mtetwa.
He adds that most of the times, they have to sell their cattle to what he calls ‘makorofiya’ (cattle dealers).
“They offer us very low amounts for a beast and in most cases you would not be sure if it will survive until the first rains, so you end up opting for the little money you are offered than keeping something that may die anytime,” adds Mtetwa.
The government of Zimbabwe has committed to enhancing the resilience of vulnerable populations and reducing exposure to climate-related events by 2030. However, increased incidents of cattle rustling further contribute to the challenges faced by villagers. Angeline Mazodze from Chisumbanje recounts a substantial reduction in her cattle herd, attributing the losses to both drought and theft.
Villagers express concerns about the impact on food security, with unpredictable rainfall patterns making it difficult to plan agricultural activities.
Royco Magwegwe from Madhuku village underscores the dilemma faced by communities in the face of climate unpredictability.
“With such unpredictability you cannot afford to miss out when rain comes because you do not know if there will be another, so it is really a dilemma,” says Royco Magwegwe from Madhuku village.
It is such situations that resulted under the SDGs, in the commitment to double the agricultural productivity and the incomes of small-scale food producers, particularly women, indigenous peoples, family farmers … including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
Under the SDGs, there is a commitment to doubling agricultural productivity and incomes, particularly for small-scale producers, with a focus on equal access to resources. However, rural life without livestock becomes a nightmare, affecting essential tasks such as plowing, water fetching, and firewood collection.
Headman Karadzai Machona emphasizes the significance of livestock in traditional leadership, citing its role as a measure of wealth and influence in rural communities.
“As villager leadership, we are expected to lead by example but without a herd of cattle which is the yardstick of wealth in rural communities. You fine a person for breach of tradition and the person will either use you as an example of how everyone is suffering or will not listen to you and say you are ripping me off to cover up for your suffering,” says Machona.
Without a herd of cattle, village leaders find it challenging to lead by example and enforce traditional norms.
The issue extends to water scarcity, with overuse of boreholes contributing to breakdowns and conflicts among communities.
Tawanda Mugorogodo from Matikwa village underscores the strain on boreholes, serving both household and livestock needs.
“The same boreholes that we use for household needs has to cater for livestock and you find that from around midday to late evening, under such circumstances, rate of breakdown is high,” says Mugorogodo.
He adds that when a borehole breaks down, problems worsen as they would have to turn to other villages to get water but this has often results in clashes.
“Usually when a borehole breaks down, it takes time to repair and that is the time when we lose most of our cattle,” adds Mugorogodo.
Agricultural economist Dr. Richard Hove stresses the need for farmers to take livestock farming seriously, allocating sufficient land for feeding.
“Poor rains have become a routine especially in Lowveld areas and if they do not act, the situation may not change for the better any time soon, so it’s important for them to come up with mitigating measures so that they can protect their livestock,” said Dr Hove.
As poor rains persist in Lowveld areas, he warns that without proactive measures, the situation may not improve, hindering government efforts to build self-sustainable communities.
While the SDGs advocate for poverty eradication and improved food security, the ongoing loss of livestock in Zimbabwe threatens to undermine these goals, emphasizing the urgency of effective mitigating measures.
