Livestock pass-on initiative targets 30 000 families

At least 30 000 households in Mangochi District are expected to benefit from a livestock pass-on initiative under Titukulane Project.

Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of the programme at group village head Makumba in Senior Chief Chowe in the district, Care Malawi food security technical coordinator Henry Khonyongwa said 13 000 households have already benefitted from the programme’s phase one.

He said the programme has an impact on beneficiaries as they have now access to nutritious food and money.

Said Khonyongwa: “The impact is great, looking at this time of the year when most households do not have food.

“But with this initiative, people are able to meet some of their needs after selling the goats.”

He said every household is receiving 10 chickens and five goats, which the beneficiaries pass on after they multiply.

“I ask the community leaders to ensure that people are passing on the livestock to other beneficiaries for the programme’s sustainability,” said Khonyongwa.

Mangochi district animal and livestock officer Desmond Mkhaya said the intervention will empower people economically in the district.

“From the experiences as a district, we discovered that there is potential in livestock farming; hence, embarking on this initiative with our partners,” he said.

Regina Julius, one of the beneficiaries from Tikondane Cluster, said her life has transformed, courtesy of the initiative.

“I received the livestock in August last year and since then my life has improved. For example, I am able to eat nutritious food while getting manure for my farms,” she said.

Julius has asked authorities to scale up the initiative to other communities.

“However, I urge fellow beneficiaries to pass on the livestock on time,” she said.

Titukulane project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development.