24 Apr 2024

Farmers are accusing retailers for skyrocketing animal feed prices overnight when the government introduces or declares a subsidy to keep farming afloat during times of drought.

This tendency, they say, escalates their crisis and threatens to bring the farming sector to its knees despite government support through subsidies, if unresolved.

This concern punctuated most speeches at Matlapaneng Farmers Association field day recently.

Chairperson of Matlapaneng farmers group, Mr Mozambique Goboletswe said despite government support through subsidy, most farmers cannot afford to feed their livestock because retailers sky rocketing feed prices when the government introduces the subsidy.

Mr Goboletswe, who regretted that veldt fires had exacerbated the drought, called on the Government to come up with mechanisms to protect farmers against these exorbitant prices.

Member of Parliament for Takatokwane constituency, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe concurred with Mr Goboletswe that farmers bear the brunt of exorbitant feed prices.

Mr Leuwe described this situation as unfortunate because subsidies are meant to cushion farmers against drought.

The MP encouraged farmers to start producing feeds for their livestock to avoid spending more on expensive feeds. Principal Scientific Officer I-Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Kgotso Oteng acknowledged the concern and situation experienced by farmers.

Mr Oteng said though the aim of subsidy is to benefit farmers, he regretted that free market economy and supply and demand are always at play in determining the price of any commodity.

However, he said the government can review the subsidy if the situation turns to the worst, saying the ministry is always keeping an eye on the situation.

Meanwhile, Mr Oteng said feeding supplements is no option during drought period and he said herd heath is crucial when feeding an animal. He said the animal must be treated for ticks, be dewormed and vaccinated for disease like pasteurella.

Nutritional requirements for different classes of animals he said varied, saying lactating animals would need more protein than animals just being fed for maintenance.

Though bulk of feed would be roughage (to fill up the rumen), he said micro nutrients should not be neglected as their deficiency would lead to metabolic disease, citing that aphosphorisis and botulism are due to nutritional imbalances.

He cautioned famers who use urea to handle it with care to avoid it coming in contact with water.

Ad libitum water intake should be a priority, saying when feeding an animal and during drought there should be unlimited water supply as animals feed on dry plant material and lose water through sweating.

In addition, he said dicalcium phosphate and salts should be fed to animals throughout the year for good body shape. ENDS