Farmers in Dowa Express Excitement Over Goat Farming Program
The 37-year-old farmer said the goat farming has helped him access dung to make manure for his crops, allowing him to harvest more maize
DOWA, Malawi—Farmers from traditional authorities Dzoole and Chiwere have expressed excitement about a goat farming program being promoted by the Trustees of Agriculture Promotion Programme (TAPP) under the TRANSFORM Programme, writes Moses Nyirenda.
"Because of my passion for livestock farming, TAPP gave me two goats under a pass-on program," said Innocent Chidamtere, one of the Mndolera Extension Planning Area farmers.
"Now I have 10 goats, but I could have over 20 goats as I sold some and used the money to buy iron sheets and other roofing materials for my house as well as fertilizers."
The 37-year-old farmer said the goat farming has helped him access dung to make manure for his crops, allowing him to harvest more maize.
With income from goat and crop farming, he has bought appliances like a satellite dish and plasma TV.
TAPP also runs a Community-Based Breeding Program in T/A Chiwere to teach farmers how to improve goat breeds.
"CBBP programme is helping us to change our local goat breeds to better breeds," said Lifias Chalunda from Mvera EPA-Dzuwa Section.
TAPP Field Officer Tendai Lifa said their goal is to help farmers multiply their goats and access animal dung for manure. The organization aims to reach over 100 households in Dowa through goat farming promotion.
TAPP is implementing the TRANSFORM Programme in Dowa district with assistance from Norwegian Church Aid and Danchurchaid, which coordinates the program in Malawi alongside partners Development Fund of Norway and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
The organization runs the program in four Extension Planning Areas in Dowa: Mndolera, Nachisaka, Chivala and Mvera. Chidamtere spoke to journalists Tuesday during a media tour organized by NCA/DCA.
He said the goat farming has allowed him to earn income to construct a house, buy appliances like a satellite dish and plasma TV, and afford food and school supplies for his family.
"I now have a satellite dish, 24-inch plasma which together with my family we are able to watch; Zodiak, Luntha and Times TV, in addition to that I have also 100 watts solar panel," Chidamtere said.
Apart from livestock multiplication and manure production, Lifa said TAPP aims to help farmers gain sustainable access to animal protein and income through the goat farming promotion under the TRANSFORM Programme in Dowa.