By Own Correspondent- Matabeleland livestock farmers have appealed for assistance following a severe drought that depleted their grazing areas this farming season.

Farmers report that their livestock is left with no grazing land following a very dry spell.

The situation has resulted in farmers resorting to pen fattening which has been made very expensive by transport costs.

Sedgwick Farm partner, Vengai Runyowa spoke to the state media and said:

“It has been a very difficult year. We have to date only received cumulatively about 84 – 86mm of rainfall. We are battling in terms of our grazing land and water tables of our boreholes. Our major challenge now is grazing pastures.”

Other farmers who spoke to ZBC News lamented the increase in prices of commodities such as diesel since it affects the rearing livestock. Some farmers are contemplating undertaking cross-breeding to produce hybrid livestock that is simultaneously good at the market and drought resistant.

Government agencies have been called upon to act towards preserving the livestock which is fundamental both at rural and national levels-StateMedia