Lubombo bracing for possible water shortages

SITEKI – Lubombo is bracing for possible water shortages, livestock feed challenges and rising hunger as farmers prepare for anticipated El Niño conditions.

The warning comes as farmers in the region are being urged to start preparing now, with concerns that prolonged dry conditions could leave livestock without sufficient water and grazing while disrupting crop production.

Lubombo Regional Administrator (RA) Themba Msibi said the region was saddened by reports of the anticipated El Niño, saying farmers needed to take early measures to protect their livestock and crops.

Msibi said the region had a large number of livestock farmers who would require sufficient water, should the anticipated dry conditions materialise.

He said farmers needed to consider where they would obtain water for their livestock, particularly if existing water sources became strained during prolonged dry conditions.

Msibi said water was not the only concern, as livestock would also need sufficient food if grazing became scarce.

He noted that some farmers had already started purchasing hay to prepare for the possibility of deteriorating grazing conditions, but warned that not every farmer would be able to afford supplementary feed.

“It is not everyone who will have the money to buy the hay,” he said.

He said this was why preparations needed to start before the anticipated El Niño conditions affected the region severely.

Msibi called for assistance from organisations, government departments and other stakeholders who could support farmers and communities with preparedness measures.

He said farmers needed practical advice on how to manage their livestock during prolonged dry conditions, including whether some animals should be moved to areas with better water and grazing.

The RA said the region would also like to establish whether livestock could be relocated to areas that would be more suitable for their survival during the anticipated dry period.

He said some fields had grass that remained available throughout the season and suggested that mechanisms should be established to allow farmers to access such areas where necessary.

Msibi said farmers should be able to seek permission to use fields with adequate grazing rather than allowing livestock to suffer when there were potentially suitable grazing areas elsewhere.

He said this would require proper coordination to ensure that the movement of livestock did not create conflicts between farmers or communities.

The availability of water, however, remains one of the region’s major concerns.

Msibi said the anticipated dry conditions could put additional pressure on existing water sources used by communities and livestock.

He expressed hope that the National Disaster Risk Management Authority (NDRMA) would assist with measures aimed at reducing the impact of possible water shortages.

Msibi’s concerns come as farmers in Lubombo continue to face the effects of changing weather patterns, including unreliable rainfall and prolonged dry spells.

The region is particularly vulnerable to drought because many rural households depend on crop production and livestock farming for food and income.

Poor rainfall can therefore affect both household food supplies and farmers’ ability to generate an income from their livestock.

The possibility of another difficult season has also raised concerns about the ability of farmers to plant their fields.

Msibi warned that if farmers were unable to plough because of inadequate rainfall, the consequences would extend beyond agriculture and affect food security across communities.

He said failure by farmers to produce crops could result in increased hunger, particularly among households that depend heavily on subsistence farming.

The warning echoes concerns raised during previous drought periods, when shortages of water and grazing placed significant pressure on livestock farmers.

During the 2015/16 El Niño-induced drought, farmers across Eswatini experienced severe challenges as poor rainfall resulted in shortages of water and pasture. Livestock farmers were among those hardest hit, with some losing animals because of inadequate water and feed.

Msibi said farmers should therefore not wait for livestock to begin losing condition before seeking assistance or looking for alternative sources of feed and water.

He said early intervention would give farmers more options and could reduce the pressure on communities once conditions became difficult.

The RA further appealed for support from stakeholders with the capacity to assist farmers with preparedness measures.

He said such assistance should include advice on livestock management, possible relocation of animals, access to grazing areas and measures to secure water.

“We ask for assistance as a region,” he said.

Msibi said the region, therefore, wanted preparedness to begin before the anticipated El Niño conditions became severe.

He said government and stakeholders needed to work with farmers to identify potential water sources, grazing areas and other interventions that could protect livelihoods.

The RA’s warning also places emphasis on the need for clear communication with farmers so they understand what measures they can take before and during the dry period.

Msibi said early assistance could help farmers make informed decisions and reduce losses.

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