CHIPINGE
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Livestock farmers in Chipinge are increasingly getting worried by the rising
cases of stock theft in the district.
–
Livestock farmers in Chipinge are increasingly getting worried by the rising
cases of stock theft in the district.
This came out at a livestock
show organised by the Department of Agriculture, Research and Extension
Services (Agritex) in collaboration with a development partner, International
Rescue Committee (IRC) at Mabhiza Business Centre on July 17.
show organised by the Department of Agriculture, Research and Extension
Services (Agritex) in collaboration with a development partner, International
Rescue Committee (IRC) at Mabhiza Business Centre on July 17.
A club that consists of 200
women hosted the show and took the opportunity to exhibit the breeds of goats
that bring huge profits to breeders in the Lowveld.
women hosted the show and took the opportunity to exhibit the breeds of goats
that bring huge profits to breeders in the Lowveld.
Various aspects of good goat
breeding techniques like animal health, nutrition and shelter were presented to
farmers. Guest of honour was district
agriculture officer Tapiwa Chagwesha who was represented by Benson Musinake.
breeding techniques like animal health, nutrition and shelter were presented to
farmers. Guest of honour was district
agriculture officer Tapiwa Chagwesha who was represented by Benson Musinake.
Checheche Livestock Traders
Association, represented by Gideon Chiororo, said stock theft was militating
against the growth of livestock business in the district.
Association, represented by Gideon Chiororo, said stock theft was militating
against the growth of livestock business in the district.
“Stock theft is affecting
butchery operators as farmers lose cattle meant for business. We urge farmers
to work hand-in-glove with traders so that we help each other curb stock theft
in this area,” said Chiororo.
butchery operators as farmers lose cattle meant for business. We urge farmers
to work hand-in-glove with traders so that we help each other curb stock theft
in this area,” said Chiororo.
Agriculture extension
officer Medline Ngwendu, who coordinates the livestock breeding project at Mabhiza,
said water problems in the area contributed immensely to the problem.
officer Medline Ngwendu, who coordinates the livestock breeding project at Mabhiza,
said water problems in the area contributed immensely to the problem.
“When the water table is
low, farmers drive their livestock to Save River which is far away from the
villages. On the way, they lose their stock,” said Ngwendu.
low, farmers drive their livestock to Save River which is far away from the
villages. On the way, they lose their stock,” said Ngwendu.
Chipinge Rural District Ward
24 Councillor Wishes Hama called for stronger policing of the area to deter
would-be cattle rustlers.
24 Councillor Wishes Hama called for stronger policing of the area to deter
would-be cattle rustlers.
“As a female councillor, I
am pleased by this goat project which is being undertaken by female farmers but
it’s sad that there are people stealing from them. I want to see people who
steal livestock being punished severely,” said Hama.
am pleased by this goat project which is being undertaken by female farmers but
it’s sad that there are people stealing from them. I want to see people who
steal livestock being punished severely,” said Hama.
Speaking at the same occasion,
Chipinge South Member of Parliament (MP) Enock Porusingazi urged farmers to
devise their own ways of protecting their livestock and help the police to
arrest thieves.
Chipinge South Member of Parliament (MP) Enock Porusingazi urged farmers to
devise their own ways of protecting their livestock and help the police to
arrest thieves.
“We see people with no known
sources of income drinking expensive beer every day. They lead extravagant
lives and we therefore must ask ourselves where they are getting the money
from,” said Porusingazi.
sources of income drinking expensive beer every day. They lead extravagant
lives and we therefore must ask ourselves where they are getting the money
from,” said Porusingazi.
