Organisations join hands to learn to manage livestock

A total of 14 participants representing 10 organisations (Six of which are PELUM Zimbabwe Members) met at Cresta Oasis Hotel in Harare from 27 to 28 February 2020 to initiate a process of developing a joint multi-year programme to restore Zimbabwe’s landscape. Photo: Theophilus Mudzindiko/PELUM Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe like many countries in Southern Africa is battling with a man-made tsunami – desertification. The land is slowly transforming into a desert and poor management of livestock is one of the causes. While many efforts have gone towards addressing land degradation, not much has been done to properly manage livestock reared on Zimbabwe’s rangelands.

Over the past years, much work and investment has gone into crop-field management and practices such as the zero tillage farming and green manure cropping have significantly yielded positive results for smallholder farmers who rely on rain fed agriculture. However, few people have ventured into the management of cattle, sheep, goats and wildlife. No one wants to touch this area because they say it is too complicated. As a result, many people have shied away from this area.

Some brave civil society organisations have been doing some work in this area. Organisations such as Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust who are working in Chimanimani, Njeremoto Biodiversity Institute working in Masvingo, Chinyika Community in Gutu, Africa Centre for Holistic Management (ACHM) working in Matabeleland North, Chikukwa Ecological Land Use Community Trust (CELUCT) in Chimanimani, Participatory Organic Research and Training (PORET) in Chimanimani and Mlezu Agricultural College in Gweru.

These organisations say they are all struggling to work with livestock and that none of them is making headway. For instance, when they think they have made progress, something like a cyclone, drought or theft derails progress. Working in this area has made these organisations realise that this is such a key area to address because it will solve multiple crises leading to the loss of life and deep poverty among rural folks. But rangeland management in communal lands is complex because there are multiple livestock owners and you need to work closely with traditional leaders. This is why it is so important to strengthen management of rangelands using livestock.

The outcome of the collaboration is ‘well documented and shared examples of communities managing their livestock and wildlife towards regenerating landscape and improved livelihoods across Zimbabwe.’