Livestock pass-on project empowers community
Tsogolo Labwino Farmers Club Launches Livestock Pass-On Initiative, Empowering Community Members Economically
MANGOCHI, MALAWI — The Tsogolo Labwino Farmers Club of Zimbayuda in the area of Senior Chief Nankumba, Mangochi District, has launched a livestock pass-on initiative aimed at empowering community members economically and mitigating the effects of climate change on agriculture, writes Hope Nyondo.
According to Osco Kuwili, Chairperson of the club, the pass-on initiative will provide economic benefits to community members while addressing the challenge of high fertiliser costs by providing manure as fertiliser.
Kuwili stated, "The initiative will make the surrounding communities food secure by supplementing the use of inorganic fertilisers that have seen a rise in prices."
The club, which was established in 2010 and now has 64 members, is planning to reach out to twenty youths from Chigonele, Kanyenga, Chilawi, Katole, and Saiti villages before the end of the year, distributing goats and pigs on a pass-on basis.
In order to incorporate various communities, especially those with a reasonable Muslim population, the club has diversified the pass-on project to include different livestock apart from pigs.
The Tsogolo Labwino Farmers Club, which received its first twenty pigs from Cooperate Africa, has also implemented smart farming practices to combat the adverse effects of climate change.
As part of environmental conservation, club members have planted trees in their respective villages.
Consequently, the farmers club successfully harvested thirty tonnes of soybeans this year. However, they face challenges in selling the produce due to low market prices.
Medson Chitedze, Director for Compassionate Students (COST), a local faith-based organisation that initially supported the farmers club with chickens as a startup, expressed satisfaction with the club's performance.
Chitedze hopes that the club will continue to progress with this initiative.
Ralph Jooma, Member of Parliament for the Mangochi Monkey Bay Constituency and the guest of honour at the launch, emphasised the significance of the initiative for the development of the constituency.
In support of the project, Jooma donated five female goats to enable the initiative's expansion into other villages within the constituency.
The launch event was attended by traditional leaders, ward councillors, and various stakeholders.