Water crisis affecting livestock in Siavonga
By Brandina Lambwe
Siavonga, Zambia
Livestock Farmers in the rural parts of Siavonga District in Southern Province calls on government to quickly consider providing water reservoirs as their livestock travel long distances to search for water.
Speaking on behalf of Livestock farmers in Mnyama ward, Alex Gwati appeals to government to come to the aid of livestock farmers in the area as livestock have no drinking water in the area.
Mr. Gwati disclosed that that about ten (10, 000) thousand cattle from the surrounding Kaseba, Kaumpwe, Jali, Nangoba, Mangwalala, Manchvwa in- land and Nabutezi villages drink water from the water reservoir at his farm in Mnyama ward.
Mr. Gwati explained that these cattle that drink water from Kaseba farm travel about 18 to 15 km to reach Kaseba farm adding that other cattle get stuck in the same reservoir and other cattle is being stolen on their way as they search for water.
“Please government come to our aid as livestock farmers in Mnyama, Nabutezi wards, our livestock has no drinking water
other wise the water reservoir where cattle drink from it is meant for watering my garden,” he said.
Meanwhile speaking on behalf of livestock farmers in Nadunga area in Mutuba ward in Sinadambwe Chiefdom Wesley Munyumbwe says people are sharing water with livestock from near by Nadunga and kangamachinja streams as boreholes have dried up.
“Villages drink water from Nadunga and Nakamacinga streams with our livestock are Muzima, Hachibozu, Munyumbwe, Manyinga, Nakayuma, Nadunga and Mutanga villages both people and livestock drink from these two streams as boreholes have dried up,” he said.
However, United Party for National Development (UPND) Siavonga Member of Parliament MP Darius Mulunda speaking earlier during the Consitituency Development Fund (CDF) committee meeting revealed that his office is aware of the water challenges people and livestock are facing in the Consitituency.
Mr.Mulunda stated that from the drought fund emergency response component, funds have been set aside to address water challenges in the area.
” Our people and livestock are suffering of water challenge, and from the drought fund emergency response for addressing water challenge in Nangoba, Hachibozu and other surrounding areas in our Consitituency,” said the law maker.
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