Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
VILLAGERS from three wards in Gwanda District got a major boost after they benefited from a goat pass-on scheme, a programme that is being spearheaded by the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust to promote goat breeding in the district.
Each group of farmers received 19 Matabele goats and offspring of the Kalahari buck which they are expected to pass on to others next year.
The farmers were also trained in commercial goat production.Hundreds of farmers are set to benefit from improved breeds. The farmers that benefited mainly have the Matabele breed.
Vusanani Group member, Ms Sibongile Ndlovu said their target is to record a 100 percent reproduction rate.“We had already started a goat project through this pass-on scheme, which will help boost our income. Our group is comprised mostly of widows and this project will help us fend for our families,” she said.
“We have been keeping goats for years and selling them to earn a living. Now that we have received additional goats we will ensure that we properly manage them.”
Mr Sylvester Nyathi who is a member of the Sibambene Group in Ward 17 said they have 36 goats. He said the additional 19 goats will boost their herd. “In the past, we didn’t attach any value to goats.
They were just a type of livestock that we used to keep but not for commercial purposes. Sometimes we used to exchange a goat for a bag of maize,” said Mr Nyathi.
“We have since been equipped with the knowledge of goats being a valuable asset. Our area is ideal for goat rearing and we are now making use of that advantage.”
Mr Donald Ncube who is also a member of the Sibambene Group said they now focus on the production of stock feed in their fields and gardens. He said they produce cowpeas and lucerne grass as they are highly nutritive crops.
Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust director, Mr Michael Moyo said goat production in Gwanda District plays an important role as a source of income, especially for poor households in drought-prone areas.
He said the goat pass-on scheme seeks to improve the breeds. Mr Moyo said the organisation is in the process of building an abattoir that will benefit the farmers.
“We handed over the Matabele breed and a few offspring of the Kalahari buck so that we can improve the breeds for farmers. We started with groups from three wards but the pass-on exercise will ensure that more farmers are incorporated into goat breeding,” he said.
“The farmers have been equipped with the necessary nutrition, health and hygiene practices involved in goat breeding. We have been teaching the farmers and also monitoring how they are running their own goat projects to ensure that they qualify for the pass-on scheme.”Mr Moyo said other projects they are implementing include integrated gardens, poultry, craft, detergent making and fish farming.—@DubeMatutu
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