Umkhawuzane control project launched to protect livestock and rangelands in Matabeleland North

Lupane State University

By Staff Reporter

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), in partnership with Lupane State University, has launched a community‑based research initiative to tackle the poisonous plant Dichapetalum cymosum, locally known as Umkhawuzane, after farmers reported significant livestock losses linked to the species. The programme, carried out in Ward 18 (Makhovula), Lupane District, and Ward 10, Umguza District, combines farmer education with practical trials of mechanical and chemical control methods to develop locally appropriate strategies for reducing animal deaths and protecting rangeland health.

Umkhawuzane contains fluoroacetate, a potent toxin that causes sudden death in grazing animals and poses risks of secondary poisoning through the food chain. EMA estimates that the plant accounts for roughly 8 percent of livestock fatalities attributed to toxic flora in the region. During community engagements, farmers told researchers they typically lose three to four animals per household each winter, a period when Umkhawuzane remains green while other forage is scarce and animals are more likely to ingest the plant.

EMA Environmental Education and Publicity Manager Amkela Sidange said the joint study emphasised hands‑on involvement by local communities. “We combined sensitisation with practical trials so farmers could see and participate in control methods,” she said. The mechanical approach involved excavating plants and removing roots to depths of one to 1.5 metres, a method that produced encouraging results in trial plots with no signs of regeneration after removal.

By contrast, trials using glyphosate showed only temporary suppression of Umkhawuzane and carried the drawback of harming surrounding vegetation. Researchers warned that indiscriminate chemical use can degrade pasture quality and reduce biodiversity, undermining long‑term rangeland resilience. The findings point to the need for integrated, site‑specific management that combines effective mechanical removal, cautious and targeted chemical application where appropriate, and sustained community education.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen local capacity for early detection and rapid response. EMA and Lupane State University plan to train community focal persons to identify outbreaks, coordinate removal efforts, and report occurrences promptly to authorities. These measures aim to reduce immediate livestock losses and to build a longer‑term framework for rangeland rehabilitation, including erosion control and reseeding of native forage species where removal activities have disturbed the soil.

Stakeholders welcomed the collaborative approach, noting that farmer participation increases the likelihood of sustained adoption. The project aligns with EMA’s broader emphasis on community‑driven solutions and interdisciplinary research, bringing together ecologists, extension officers, and local knowledge holders to design practical interventions.

As Matabeleland North continues to grapple with the ecological and economic impacts of toxic plants, EMA urged vigilance and timely reporting of outbreaks. The agency stressed that protecting livestock and biodiversity will require coordinated action among farmers, traditional leaders, academic partners, and government agencies to ensure that control measures are effective, environmentally responsible, and sustainable.