Malawi cattle farmers travel farther as El Nino worsens drought
Summary
Cattle farmers in Malawi’s Mulanje district are travelling farther and starting earlier to find grass as dry conditions reduce available fodder. Farmers say the shortage has raised the cost of keeping cattle and cut milk production, while maize bran used as supplemental feed is also scarce and expensive.Key Facts
- Lawrence Abison and three friends travelled 27km from Nsanjama to collect grass along the Likhubula River.
- After two hours of cutting grass, the group had enough to feed 10 cattle for one day.
- Fodder gatherers say they began making river trips months earlier than usual and now travel farther.
- Grass and reeds along parts of the Likhubula River have reportedly declined, and some areas of the river have become shallower.
- Malawi faced dry spells and high temperatures during the 2023/24 rainy season, when El Niño affected rainfall patterns across southern Africa.
- The Malawi weather department warned of below-normal rainfall and prolonged dry spells in parts of the country, including southern areas.
- Farmer Macdonald Khandalawo said reduced feed has lowered his cows’ milk production.
- Farmers said maize bran, used to supplement grass, is scarce and expensive following lower maize harvests.
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