The donation is part of the N$300 000 that was allocated to constituencies in the Zambezi region to fund projects that will benefit communities.ABOUT 20 farmers from various villages in the Linyanti constituency of the Zambezi region received 205 goats from the government as a way to fight poverty through small livestock farming.
The goats cost about N$204 000, and each beneficiary is expected to receive 10 goats.
During the official handover ceremony held at the constituency office on Wednesday, Linyanti councillor Cletius Sipapela said the project is in line with the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5), the Harambee Prosperity Plan, and the Zambezi regional council’s objectives to eradicate poverty in rural communities.
“The Zambezi Regional Council, through its constituency development fund, gave all eight constituencies N$300 000 to fund projects which will benefit the community. We came up with the project of promoting small livestock farming in the region because it is sustainable due to the abundance of grazing, and the commitment of our farmers to animal production.
“Therefore, it should be a success. In the past, as a constituency, we embarked on projects such as aquaculture, poultry and gardening to empower the communities, but these failed because there was no market,” he explained.
Sipapela added that they will monitor the project and ensure that as the goats multiply, they are further distributed to other farmers as a way of empowering the whole community.
“Our aim is to ensure that everyone in the village will have goats to farm with as these goats are going to multiply. The beneficiaries who receive these goats today will be the supervisors, and will ensure that the community takes good care of these animals.
“If there happens to be any problem, or when the goats become ill, they are expected to report that to the area headman. The goats will also be vaccinated by the state veterinary officer through the constituency office,” he said.
If the constituency development fund could be made available to all 121 constituencies in the country, rural communities will have the end of poverty in sight.
“These funds could then be used for the pressing needs of a particular community for services such as the drilling of boreholes, building kindergartens and small clinics, and the extension of water pipelines. It is, therefore, our hope as regional councillors that the call for the finalisation of the constituency development fund bill discussed by the National Council in 2015 and referred back to the National Assembly, be heard. This will enable the eradication of poverty in rural areas,” he stressed.
One of the beneficiaries, Booysen Saiti from the Malihera area, said he was happy with the project because it will help them to generate income to feed themselves.
“This is a very exciting project for us because it will benefit the whole community as we will stand together and ensure that it is a success. Although this will be the first time I will be farming with goats, I do not see any problem because I have been farming with cattle for 15 years, and there is basically no difference between the two. We are grateful to the government because this project gives us hope of eradicating poverty in our community,” he enthused.
Another beneficiary, Simon Kwala from the Batubaja area, praised the project, saying he believed it was a step closer to eradicating poverty in rural areas.
“This project will surely go a long way in empowering us and creating employment in the area, so we are grateful. I am farming with goats already, so I have plenty of experience on that. However, I had hoped the government would have given us a different breed from what we have already. This breed is not really in demand, so it is very difficult to sell; we needed breeds that are in demand,” he added. Yet another beneficiary, Precious Manyandelo from the Maunga village, said this was the first livestock she has owned. Since this is a community project, she was confident that she will get assistance from those who have experience in goat farming.
“This project is truly a source of joy for me because I did not own any livestock at all, and to be chosen to be part of such a project is a miracle. I have no doubt this project will change the lives of many people like me in the community. It will generate income for us, and also one day our children will inherit the livestock,” she said, expressing her gratitude to the government.
