Hippos wrecking havoc in Nsanje

Continued extensive destruction of crops by hippos is frustrating stakeholders’ interventions to achieve food security in Nsanje district.

It has been established that irrigated winter crops are the most affected by the large semiaquatic mammals.

Concern Worldwide Programs Manager for Nsanje Fraser Mataya said at a district civil protection committee meeting that the huge mammals are causing damage to crops along Shire River in the district.

“Most of the affected fields are of farmers engaged in winter cropping after getting support from various organisations implementing agricultural interventions”, said Mataya.

He has since called on the authorities to send a wildlife officer to help keep the animals away from the fields to avoid further damage, saying if left unchecked it may be a recipe for disaster.

Spokesperson for the Nsanje district Council Robert Maija has promised to report the matter to the authorities for possible action.

The damage comes at a time farmer are recovering from the devastation that their crops suffered in the aftermath of tropical storm Ana and Cyclone Gombe.

Authorities in Nsanje have been encouraging farmers to take advantage of moisture content along the shire River, to engage in winter cropping to cushion themselves from food insecurity being experienced in the district.