SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MIDLANDS BUREAU CHIEF

GWERU – A cattle rancher in Somabula lost 400 hay bales valued at US$14 000 to a veld fire two weeks back, Midlands Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Spokesperson Osward Ndlovu has said.
Ndlovu said that veld fires have destroyed 428 hectares of land in Somabula since the veld fire season began on July 1.
He urged farmers to invest in fireguards to protect their livestock and crops.
“A cattle rancher in Somabula has lost about 400 bales of hay as a result of veld fire. As Ema we advise our farmers to make fireguards during this fire season to avoid losses.
“We have lost about 428 hectares of land to veld fires in Somabula alone and this has a huge impact on livestock farming,” he said.
The farmer, Ndabezinhle Nkomo said the incident left him facing stock feed challenges and he has to sell off part of his head to feed the remaining cattle.
“I have over 200 cattle and I am afraid of losing some to this drought. I am considering destocking so that I minimize expenses in buying stock feed,” he said.
Last year, John Makaya Masuku, a farmer in the area lost six tractors and bailing equipment when his shade was burnt by a ravaging veld fire.