Hippo Valley- A full life sorghum crop, sprawled across 750 hectares of prime Kilimanjaro fields in Hippo Valley Estates in the lowveld, will be ready for harvesting in the next two months, relieving not only humans but reaching out to livestock as well.
BY PATRICK CHITONGO
The crop is expected to produce 10 500 metric tonnes of grain that is meant to cater for the national food deficit, as well as 7000 tonnes of cattle fodder.
Agronomists at the giant sugar producing company put more value to the crop by innovatively making cattle fodder from its remains.
This was revealed by Tongaat’s Agricultural Manager, Tarisai Mudambanuki during a tour of the sorghum fields with the Minister of Agriculture, Anxious Masuka last week.
Mudambanuki said, after harvesting the grain, they will make use of Roller Bales machines to harvest the stalks that will be stacked for cattle feeding.
Minister Masuka also encouraged the company to use maize crop for the same course saying this will help sustain the national herd that is currently under threat due to perennial shortage of pastures.
During the same tour, Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Farai Musikavanhu also encouraged the company to continue engaging in its Agricultural innovations so as to save the depleting herd in the district.
“I am happy that Tongaat is coming up with new ideas that can help save our herd. We have droughts every year particularly in Chikombedzi and a lot of cattle die during these droughts. This initiative will be advantageous to cattle farmers ” said Musikavanhu.
About 10 000 cattle died in Chiredzi District over the past two years from starvation. Unlike this year, the region normally receives very minimal or no rainfall every season.
