Manepo promotes livestock farming

Malawi Network of Older Persons Organisations (Manepo) has encouraged the elderly in Zomba District to rear animals for food and economic gains.

The organisation’s humanitarian officer Nitike Ngwira said this on Tuesday in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkagula in the district during a goat pass-on initiative to empower the elderly with regular source of income.

She said they launched the initiative in February this year in response to lack of appropriate social protection schemes to address poverty in old age.

Ngwira said poverty makes the elderly vulnerable to witchcraft-related accusations that end up in violence.

“The Covid-19 and the impact of climate change have also exposed elderly people to poverty,” she said.

Ngwira added that the initiative has the potential to contribute to the socio-economic development of the elderly people.

“The goats will also help in fighting non-communicable diseases among elderly people through animal protein,” she said.

Eluby Lewis, 60, from Phetembe Village, who received a goat in February, said she was pleased to get the asset.

“The goat I received multiplied and I have since passed on the kid to another beneficiary,” she said.

Subili Chikanda, 68, who received a goat from another elderly person, pledged to take care of the goat.

“As old people, we lack sources of income to take care of our basic needs. We believe rearing livestock will empower us economically,” he said.

Group village head Phetembe said the goats will serve as a store of wealth for the elderly, especially in elderly-headed households.

“The elderly who are looking after grandchildren struggle to feed them. The solution has been found now,” he said.

With support from the Help Age Korea, the organisation is implementing a one-year Improved Livelihood for Older Men and Women Project targeting 1 000 elderly people in T/As Nkagula and Malemia in the district.