Cattle Farming in the Danger Zone

24th October 2019 | Zimbabwe | Story | Clearing explosives

Willard Nyadoro has eight children and fourteen grandchildren. In 1998, desperate to find good land to support his growing family, he moved to the village of Musanzikwa, Zimbabwe,—even though this meant building his new home on the edge of a minefield.

Willard Nyadoro tends to his crop in Musanzikwa village, Zimbabwe
"The land here is good and fertile, there is the right amount of rain. We grow sorghum and maize, and we keep cattle."
Willard Nyadoro, Musanzikwa village, Zimbabwe

But 20 years later, the landmines remain, a deadly barrier leaving Willard and the people of Musanzikwa village struggling to survive, as he explains: “We are locked out. It seems like we’re in prison here.”

For rural Zimbabweans, cattle are one of the very few ways families can invest their money. Willard has nine cows but, until the mines are gone, he simply can’t risk increasing the size of his herd.

"In 2018, I lost two cows in one accident. The animals had wandered off, and they’d been missing for two days. Then one of my neighbours came over and told me ‘Willard, your cows have been blown up on the minefield’. I was in shock. We took the carcasses to the local town to sell, but we could only get 180 USD per animal from the butcher, which is half the normal price."
Willard Nyadoro, Musanzikwa village, Zimbabwe

Every day he needs to take the cows to the borehole to drink, a dangerous journey along a narrow track through the landmines.

A bull standing in the sand in Zimbabwe
"In February this year we lost a bull. It wandered from the track and was blown up. I was looking forward to keeping those cows, and selling them so I could put my grandkids through school."
Willard Nyadoro , Musanzikwa village, Zimbabwe

But it’s not just the animals that are at risk. The minefields surrounding Muszanikwa village threaten the lives of all who live there.

Children stand next to a borehole in Zimbabwe
"The mines affect the people too. A 14-year-old lost his leg not long ago. I have 14 grandchildren – I worry about them when they go to and from school."
Willard Nyadoro, Musanzikwa village, Zimbabwe

With your support Musansikwa can be cleared of landmines, allowing local families to thrive, not just survive.

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"If one day the mines are cleared I will be very, very happy – I think I would clap my hands forever!"
Willard Nyadoro, Musanzikwa village, Zimbabwe