Zimbabwe's developmental mantra under siege

In parts of Zimbabwe's Midlands Province, a cattle disease crisis is testing the government's developmental mantra of "of the people, by the people, for the people." Livestock are dying in alarming numbers due to a shortage of dipping chemicals, forcing villagers to make desperate choices to survive.

Some farmers, stripped of their oxen, have resorted to using donkeys for draught power, while others are selling their cattle at distress prices. Reports indicate that a single beast is fetching as little as R10 000, while donkeys cost around R3 000 each. The shortage of dipping chemicals, which must now be imported from South Africa at about R2 000 per litre, has left many cattle dips idle, allowing the disease to spread unchecked.

Cattle play a critical role in rural livelihoods, serving as a source of wealth, draught power, school fees, and a safety net during difficult times. Their loss not only destabilises households economically but also undermines local food production. Middlemen often profit from the forced sales, while producers lose the value of their herds. Rebuilding cattle numbers will take years, even if disease control improves.

Donkeys, while somewhat useful, cannot match oxen in working the heavy soils of districts such as Mberengwa. As a result, many households are forced to till smaller plots using hoes, delaying planting and reducing potential harvests. Time spent managing sick animals or seeking alternatives further limits crop productivity at a time when food security is already fragile.

The situation highlights a disconnect between the government's rhetoric of inclusive development and the realities on the ground. Without urgent intervention to supply dipping chemicals and support rural farmers, many households face both economic loss and reduced food security. For the promise that "no place and no one will be left behind" to hold true, timely action is essential to protect livestock, livelihoods, and harvests in the Midlands.