Addressing members of civil society in Bulawayo on Friday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said most parts of Matabeleland has run out of pastures due to last year‘s draught.
“Government is concerned about the draught situation in Matabeleland. As a result of this situation, we have came out with urgent intervention measures which includes the provision of feedlots and bringing grass from other areas which were not affected by draught,” said Prime minister Tsvangirai.
PM Tsvangirai said Matabeleland is the cradle of cattle ranching in the country and government has a responsibility to save the cattle.
“The role of cattle in the livelily hood of our community and the country‘s economy cannot be over emphasised .I can assure that government is doing everything to save the cattle,” he said. Over 200 000 cattle in the region are facing starvation due to recurrent droughts. The loss of pastures in the area has resulted in most farmers selling their beasts for a song with prices reaching an all-time low of between $200 and $300 a beat. Speaking to journalists later on ,PM Tsvangirai said that several coal exploration companies which were controversially granted special licences to prospect coal and coal- bed methane gas in the Gwayi/Shangani dam confluence will be relocated to pave way for the construction of the dam.
Post published in: News