Malawi Farmers Undertake Grueling Journeys for Cattle Feed Amidst Worsening El Niño Drought

Lawrence Abison, a 25-year-old from Nsanjama, travels 27km to the Likhubula River in Malawi's Mulanje district in search of grass to feed his cattle. Accompanied by three friends, they begin their journey at dawn, spending hours cutting Napier grass and reeds along the riverbank. After two hours of work, they gather enough bundles to sustain 10 cattle for a single day. This arduous task is repeated daily, with dozens of other men seen carrying grass bundles from various directions, all seeking fodder for livestock across the district.

"It's very hard to find the grass these days, that’s why we have travelled this long distance," Abison told Al Jazeera, visibly sweating. "Even here, the grass is not enough for a week and we need to proceed farther." The Likhubula River, originating from the 3,002-metre Mount Mulanje, is a vital water source for the region. However, residents report noticeable changes, including a shallower river and the disappearance of vegetation along its banks, impacting farmers who rely on it for both water and animal feed.

Malawi experienced dry spells and high temperatures during the 2023/24 rainfall season, exacerbated by El Niño's impact on rainfall patterns across southern Africa. The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services had previously warned of below-normal rainfall and prolonged dry spells, particularly in southern Malawi.

For farmers in Mulanje, the immediate concern is securing adequate feed for their cattle. Abison and other fodder gatherers have begun their trips to the rivers earlier than usual, with journeys extending for months and covering greater distances. This has led to increased competition with local communities who also depend on the river's vegetation for resources like reeds for mat-making and grass for livestock.

Macdonald Khandalawo, 54, a cattle farmer in Nsanjama since 2014, manages 10 cattle and employs individuals like Abison to collect grass. He notes a significant rise in the cost of maintaining his animals due to the scarcity of grass. "After the rains have stopped, we look for the grass around here but due to the change in climate there has been scarcity of grass. That is why we send these boys to those rivers," Khandalawo stated. "It’s a long distance and sometimes they take the whole day." The reduced feed has impacted his cows' milk production, with the animals consuming less and receiving feed later. Maize bran, a common supplement, is also scarce and expensive due to lower maize harvests.

Khandalawo also highlighted the pressure on riverbanks from cultivation. "Our complaint is that people are cultivating even in riverbanks. Previously, you would find plenty of reeds, plenty of grass, but now you can’t find it because some of our friends who grow vegetables are cultivating even where the water is," he explained. "Because of that, the water is drying up faster and grass is scarce." He expressed a desire for the return of previous regulations that restricted cultivation near riverbanks.

Khandalawo, who also serves as the treasurer for the New Thuchira Milk Bulking Group, a cooperative of up to 400 farmers, facilitates milk collection, preservation, and sales to commercial processors. The cooperative also serves as a platform for members to share strategies for dealing with feed shortages. Some farmers collect maize stalks during harvest for later use, while others incorporate pea and rice residues into animal feed. However, the feed shortage is significantly impacting farmers' earnings. Khandalawo, who typically earns over one million Malawi kwacha ($577) monthly from milk sales, now dedicates a substantial portion of this income to paying fodder gatherers and purchasing maize bran, questioning the long-term sustainability of his herd.

In Supuni Village, near the Likhubula River, Batson Kweluza, 57, has observed the changing landscape and the influx of fodder gatherers over the years. He recalls a time when dense tree canopies created shade along the riverbanks, a stark contrast to the current shallow river that can be crossed without removing shoes. "In the past, it was always dark even during the daytime because of the canopy that was created from the trees here," he said. "The trees are gone in many places, he said, and the river has become shallow enough for people to cross without removing their shoes. "Now even rains don’t come as they used to because of those trees that have been cut and people can cross that river without even taking off their shoes."

Similarly, in Nkando, 25-year-old Alefa Saulo is witnessing changes on her farm. While she raises bulls for sale, her three cows are losing weight. She pays two young men to assist with farm work, but they have been absent due to illness. Saulo anxiously awaits the rains, hoping for grass to grow and her cattle to regain weight. "As a farmer, I always get concerned because when the animals are eating and looking healthy, I am also happy," Saulo said. "But now I am sad. The animals are hungry but I can’t give them food."