Cachaço shepherds launch desperate appeal in the face of severe shortage of water and pasture for cattle
Cidade de Nova Sintra, May 27, 2026 (Bravanews) - The farming and livestock community of Cachaço, on the island of Brava, is facing one of the most severe crises of recent times, marked by an extreme lack of water and a shortage of resources for the animals' subsistence. In a scathing and indignant account, a local shepherd turned to Bravanews to denounce the state of "abandonment" to which the class is said to be condemned, directly criticizing the actions of the current delegate of the Ministry of Rural Development (MDR) on the island.
According to the complaint, dissatisfaction with the local management of the MDR runs deep. The livestock farmer claims that since the current head took office, the shepherds in the area have been sidelined and their demands ignored. The account describes an attitude of disrespect and lack of institutional attention towards the difficulties presented by the workers of the land, who feel helpless at a time when the survival of the local livestock sector is strongly threatened.
The water situation in the town of Cachaço is classified as critical, affecting both the domestic consumption of families and the watering of livestock. According to the pastor's testimony, attempts to find solutions with the Água Brava company have been unsuccessful. The scarcity is such that even to buy water it is necessary to face long waiting lists, due to the enormous demand and limited supply of a resource that has become a luxury in the region. Faced with this scenario, the animals are experiencing severe deprivation, without regular access to the water that is essential for their survival.
Substantially aggravating the water situation, Cachaço is facing the direct consequences of a bad agricultural year. The lack of regular rainfall has meant that this year the pastures are completely dry, eliminating the main source of natural food for the cattle. The farmer regrets the total absence of government or municipal support to mitigate this loss, stressing that the class has not received any help to cope with the lack of pasture.
With no alternatives in the fields, shepherds are forced to resort to buying feed and corn on the market, facing suffocating inflation. The prices of these essential products have skyrocketed and, worse than the high cost, the shortage of stock has made the market unpredictable. The report details that farmers are often unable to find corn or feed available for sale when they need it, turning the daily routine of managing livestock into chaos. The dramatic appeal of the shepherd from Cachaço serves as a warning of the urgency of a coordinated intervention between the agricultural authorities and the water suppliers, otherwise livestock farming will collapse for good in the town.
MS
