January 3, 2020

Zimbabwe drought kills 21,000 cattle

Poor rains have killed close to 21,000 cattle and destroyed crops in the Matabeleland provinces, reported New Zimbabwe.

A Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) report said the deaths were above normal levels, with unusually high livestock numbers reported in other parts of Zimbabwe.

Farmers in the country are forced to sell remaining livestock at below average market prices with concerns that the drought will kill their entire herd.

FEWS NET also said while agriculture activates steadily resumed with increased rainfall in mid-December, cropping activity (preparing the land, planting, applying fertiliser and weeding) remained low. This means crops planted for next season will be below average.

-      New Zimbabwe via AllAfrica