Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development has assisted farmers in Nkanalumo Village in Sub-Traditional Suza in Kasungu District with goats to diversify their sources of income and build their resilience.
Speaking yesterday during the handover of the animals, the organisation’s field project officer Felister Neddie said the initiative targets the most vulnerable households to shield them from the effects of climate change.
She said: “This is a livestock pass-on scheme that will ensure that vulnerable farmers venture into livestock production as a source of livelihood to improve their income levels.
“The programme is also promoting livestock production, thereby increasing the contribution of livestock towards climate change mitigation and resilience and ensure availability of locally produced livestock products within the impact areas.”
Neddie said the scheme, which is part of the larger Tasintha Mlimi Project, has targeted to distribute 50 goats to 10 households receiving five goats each to enhance their adaptive capacities.
Chipala Extension Planning Area agriculture extension and development coordinator Albert Kumwenda said apart from improving the communities’ nutritional status, the goats will promote climate-smart agriculture practices through harvesting of manure.
“This time we are promoting manure making not only because of the rising costs of farm inputs but also because of the effects of climate change since organic manure helps with moisture retention,” he said.
On her part, a recipient Ellah Nyirenda expressed excitement with the support describing it as a timely intervention that will boost her farming activities through manure harvesting
