Chronicle Editor
Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
AT least 300 people in Nkayi District, Matabeleland North Province have benefitted from food security and nutrition initiatives brought to them by a local humanitarian organisation, Amalima Loko, working closely with the Government.
The organisation has drilled more than 10 boreholes and set up nutritional gardens in the district as it seeks to improve food and nutrition security through increased food access and sustainable watershed management under a five-year programme (2020-2025) supported by the Usaid/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)-funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) initiative.
Amalima is a Ndebele word for a group of people coming together to achieve a common goal and Loko is a Tonga word that means “genuine or authentic”.
Nkayi Rural District Council chief executive officer (CEO), Mr Silibele Mpofu said the non-governmental organisation seeks to complement the Government’s development agenda.
He said the district has progressed very well in the various development projects implemented in partnership with Amalima Loko.
“We are excited to partner with Amalima Loko to tackle challenges of nutrition, water scarcity, land degradation and livestock production in the district. We have seen so much improvement so far and we are certain that Nkayi will flourish under this partnership,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said through Amalima Loko, they established nutrition gardens for communities adding that he hoped the gardens would provide fresh produce to communities and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
“Nutritional gardens have been established in eNtonjeni Village (Ward 21), Tshayani Village (Ward 6), Emaqaqeni Village (Ward 14), Dlawa Village (Ward 25) and Sikhobokhobo Village. These gardens have fully functional solarised boreholes and water storage tanks and we expect them to provide fresh produce to beneficiaries and generate income through sales,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said they have embarked on gully and land reclamation projects in several wards. He said the initiative has been successful as it has helped them prevent land degradation and enhance livestock production.
“Gully erosion has been a major challenge in our district, but we are determined to reclaim our land and promote sustainable agriculture. The success of the gully and grazing land reclamation project in our wards is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration and evidence-based conservation practices. We’re committed to supporting initiatives like this, that not only protect the environment but also support local economies and communities.”
“We have also established dip tanks in Mbunde Village (Ward 15), Mabayi Village (Ward 22), Mtshatshane and Katasa Villages (Ward 24).
“The dip tanks will improve the health of livestock and also increase the income for farmers through improved livestock production,” he said
Mr Mpofu said through Amalima Loko he is positive that the district will become a model for sustainable agriculture and livestock production in the country.
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far. We know that there is still much work to be done, but we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our communities have access to the resources they need to thrive.
“With our commitment to develop and improve, Nkayi RDC will set a high standard for rural development in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Online Reporter