Drought hit Mat province hard

At least four thousand cattle have succumbed to drought in Matabeleland South Province, amid fears that forty seven percent of animals are at risk of dying as the season progresses.

The cattle breeding province of Matabeleland South is faced with what has been described as the worst droughts in years , and the effects could be devastating   if the livestock deaths  recorded so far are anything to go by .

Agriculture experts in the province fear forty seven percent of animals which translates t0 292 thousand   912 are at risk of dying if urgent steps are not taken to mitigate   against losses.

The province ‘s crop and livestock officer Ms Simingaliphi Ngwabi stressed the need to promote indigenous breeds such as the thuli and nkone  which can withstand the harsh climatic conditions.