Drying up of wetlands a threat to food security
CLIMATE change has caused a lot of environmental changes among them is the drying up of wetlands which has led to acute food insecurity in some parts of Lupane district which heavily rely upon agricultural produce for food security.
A farmer at Zinapi Irrigation Scheme in Tshongokwe ward, Nomazulu Mnguni, bemoans the drying up of the Zinapi stream whose source was a wetland, saying the development has had ramifications on farming in the area as the reservoir that used to supply water for irrigation can no longer hold water long enough, thereby forcing the community to only engage in seasonal cropping as opposed to perennial cropping which they had been accustomed to in years gone by.
Some years back, they used to plant crops throughout the year, but since the drying up of the swamp that used to supply water to Zinapi Dam, it has become so difficult for them and they now have to be content with planting only during the rainy season. They are now getting used to foregoing winter cropping because of the persistent water challenges.
Felix Ndlovu of Shabula village says the drying up of the Shabula River has led to the drying up of Shabula Dam, which was critical for the provision of drinking water for livestock, among other uses.
They now have to travel a long distance to get water for their livestock as the local boreholes produce too little water to cater for all their needs. Since the boreholes are overwhelmed by domestic consumption, cattle have to be driven to distant places in order to find water for them.
A retired veterinary official says due to inadequate water, the district has seen an alarming number of cattle succumbing to drought in the past two years and this has contributed to food shortages due to a dearth of draught power in the absence of livestock.
The drying up of wetlands due to climate change has resulted in erratic rains and prolonged droughts, leading to high temperatures.
The Kusile Rural District Council is seized with the matter and is particularly worried about the drying up of wetlands, which has plunged the district into food insecurity.
The wetlands were the key water sources for irrigation schemes which were contributing much to food security.
Parliament should come up with policies that address climate change so as to mitigate its effects and replenish the drying wetlands.
The Zinapi, Shabula and Tshongokwe wetlands have been the major sources of water for irrigation schemes that were central to the production of food throughout the year.
These developments have been harsh on the district and have necessitated the intervention of relief organisations but a lot still needs to be done to cushion the public from droughts.