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OVER GRAZING AFFECTS LIVESTOCK PRODUCTIVITY/DAMAGES ENVIRONMENT - CHIEF NALUBAMBA

THE need for interventions aimed at managing Rangelands cannot be over stated as they play an integral role in improving livestock Productivity and effects of climate change mitigation.

Rangeland degeneration is mainly triggered by overgrazing which leaves the land susceptible to various Natural hazards such as wind and water erosion.

Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods. Overgrazing has disastrous effects on the land ecosystem and can result in the loss of native species and reduced biodiversity in an area.

In an effort to improve rangelands systems and reduce overgrazing, Senior Chief Nalubamba of Namwala District in Southern Province has collaborated with the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP) to embark on various land restoration interventions such as tree planting.

The traditional leader revealed that he has embarked on various land regeneration interventions such as tree planting and over 5,000 trees are earmarked to be planted in his chiefdom.

He indicated that he has engaged the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock through the E-SLIP programme to train farmers on rangeland management in order to sustainably manage the communal grazing land.

Senior Chief Nalubamba explained that most of the land in his chiefdom is bare leaving the cattle in the area without pasture due to excessive grazing.

He noted that collaboration with E-SLIP has enable farmers in the area to have knowledge on how to preserve the rangeland through alternative intervention such as pasture production.

The senior Chief said pasture production is key in resuscitating the land and ensuring that it is not exploited by livestock.

The traditional leader says decline in vegetative plants due to overgrazing does not only suppress livestock production and productivity, but also increases vulnerability of rangelands to water and wind erosion.

He observed that land degeneration is caused by various factors such as uncontrolled grazing and poorly managed farming practices.

“Land degeneration is mainly caused by either livestock in poorly managed agricultural practices, game reserves, or nature reserves. It can also be caused by immobile, travel restricted populations of native or non-native wild animals,” Senior Chief Nalubamba stated.

He said rangelands are also facing serious effects of climate change, such as droughts and floods.

“Decline in vegetative plants due to overgrazing does not only suppress livestock productivity, but also increases vulnerability of rangelands to water and wind erosion which leaves the land unproductive. Rangelands are also facing serious effects of climate change, such as droughts and floods that are threating the future of both crop and livestock production,” he emphasized.

The traditional leader has since called on the traditional leadership to collaborate with government in developing and implementing strategies that will help to reduce deforestation and rangeland restoration.

He affirmed that rangeland management requires strong partnership between government and traditional leaders as they are the custodian of both people and the land.

And E-SLIP Stocking and Restocking specialist Mwape Mwene noted that improved rangelands management has potential to boost livestock productivity.

Mr Mwene explained that E-SLIP has engaged various stakeholders and traditional leaders in the country about land management in order to regenerate the land.

He emphasized that continued trampling of numerous animals in the grazing land has accelerated the death of plants and vegetation cover, as animals’ graze the smallest amount of vegetative growth.

Mr. Mwene disclosed that the programme has a component where it is promoting the growing of pasture among farmers to ensure the availability of livestock feed even in times of scarcity.

He noted that pasture production would help to reduce overgrazing that lead to serious land degradation as a large percentage of pasture and land cover is destroyed, contributing to the relentless progression of desertification.

Meanwhile, Namwala rangeland Chairperson Lawrence Phiri, explained that unsustainable practices such as early and late burning of communal grazing land has continued to degenerate the land.

He thanked E-SLIP for coming up with an initiative of forming Rangeland management committees which have since helped in heightening rangeland regeneration activities in Namwala.

The long-term effects of overgrazing are food shortage, which can make people and cattle die of starvation because of lack of nutrient dense food. Nutrient deficiencies result in weight loss of livestock, thereby compromising their appropriate formative stage and health, which lowers their chances of survival.

With the intensity of climate change more measures are needed that will help to safeguard the environment for continued productivity. -NAIS