(Moyo) – Residents of Besia Cell and Adua Village in Moyo District are urgently appealing to local authorities to address the growing problem of stray animals, which have been wreaking havoc on crops in the region. Farmers say that the animals, mostly cattle and goats, are destroying their gardens, and they are desperate for intervention from the Lower Local Government.
One anonymous resident from Adua Village expressed frustration with the situation and called for the Local Council (LC) authorities to take action. “LCs should put more effort into addressing the issue of people letting their animals roam freely, causing damage to people’s property. These animals should be arrested and taken to the animal holding grounds in Moyo Sub County and Town Council,” the resident said.
Eriku John DK, the LC1 chairperson of Besia Cell, confirmed that his office has received numerous complaints from community members about the roaming animals. “We have heard the complaints from farmers. We have instructed them to collect their animals, but they say there is not enough pasture. Some of the animals are not from my village; they come from nearby villages,” he explained. John added that they plan to notify farmers to gather their animals before starting a local operation to address the issue.
Maiku Ipe Frank, the LC1 chairperson of Central One Cell in Moyo Town Council, emphasized that addressing the problem requires a collective effort. “It is not possible for one person to capture a goat. It requires mobilization, and mobilizing people costs money. First, we need to buy ropes and gather the manpower needed for the operation,” Frank pointed out.
Alex Magasha, a field agronomist with Happy Viva Limited, echoed the idea that the issue is everyone’s responsibility. “The problem is not just for one group to solve; it requires cooperation from everyone involved,” he said.
John Ise, the chairperson of the Moyo District Farmers Association, criticized the LC leadership for their lack of effectiveness in handling the situation. “There is a weakness in the LC leadership when it comes to resolving this issue. Even bringing the community together to address the problem is very difficult,” Ise stated.
