Brazil investor for Mangwe communal range land
THE Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) has secured an investor for the setting up of a 2 000-hectare communal range land in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South Province to avert poverty deaths of livestock in the event of a drought.
Arda board chairman, Mr Basil Nyabadza said the authority had entered into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with a private investor and Mangwe Rural District Council (RDC) for the production of pastures in the drought-prone district.
“Three months ago we mooted the idea to establish pastures in Mangwe district in Matabeleland South Province drawing water from Ingwizi dam. Three weeks ago we visited the pilot project in Norton with the chairman of the Food Security and Nutrition in Cabinet Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa to see what we would like to establish in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South.
“We have linked up with Brazilian technology to produce mulato which is special grass grown for feeding cattle. We have since identified an investor and reached an agreement with Mangwe RDC to engage in a PPP which will involve the investor, council and Arda which will see us planting 2 000 hectares of pastures for both small and big livestock,” said Mr Nyabadza.
Brachiaria grasses, including mulato, are tropical warm-season forages native to Africa. Brachiaria grasses were first introduced in tropical Australia in the early 1960s and subsequently in tropical South America, beginning with Brazil in the early 1970s.
A hybridisation programme was initiated at the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (Colombia) and resulted in the release of mulato. Mulato is the first hybrid in the brachiaria genus and results from crossing ruzi grass and palisade grass.
Mulato is adapted to many soil types ranging from sands to clays; however, it does not tolerate poorly drained soils. Even short periods of standing water may reduce stands considerably.
Mr Nyabadza said 50 hectares of pastures have since been planted in Zvimba District, Mashonaland West.
“Last year to early this year we lost close to 16 000 cattle due to serious drought as a result of El Nino effects. Now as we are addressing food security and nutrition by importing maize for the people we also need to grow pastures for our livestock.
“As we speak now the situation is extremely demanding in Mangwe district, there is no pasture for both small and big stock. We are mobilising resources to construct water canals leading to a number of infrastructural development,” said Mr Nyabadza.
Matabeleland region used to be the country’s prime cattle producing area but recurrent droughts since 1992 reportedly killed about 60 percent of the province’s herd.
Reports said over 12 000 cattle were lost in Matabeleland South in 2013 due to droughtrelated challenges.