E-SLIP Livestock Pass-On Programme Transforms Lives in Mwansabombwe District

By Jonas Miselo

IN A SIGNIFICANT development for the farming community in Mwansabombwe district, Luapula province, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, through its Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP), has garnered commitment from local farmers for the transformative Livestock Pass-On Programme.

According to testimonials from beneficiaries, this initiative is bringing about positive changes in their lives.

Luapula Province has historically grappled with low livestock populations, a challenge that initiatives like E-SLIP are actively addressing. Initiated in 2017, E-SLIP has played a pivotal role in spear heading livestock stocking and restocking exercises involving the placement of cattle, goats, and chickens in various community groups in the region. The ongoing restocking program in Mwansabombwe district has been instrumental in placing cattle, goats, and chickens among community groups.

Doris Mpundu a member of Buce Buce Youth Cooperative in Mwansabombwe district, elaborated on how the intervention reshaping the mindset of farmers in Mwansabombwe, enabling them to embrace the benefits of owning cattle. This shift is not only improving livelihoods but also contributing to the overall economic landscape of the region. Shehighlighted that the project has successfully challenged cultural prejudices associated with cattle rearing in her community.

“When the pass-on programme came, people used to tell us that people who keep cows get mentally ill because once a cow fartson you, then you would go mad. But here I am keeping cattle, and I have not gone mad,” she chuckled.

Ms Mpundu added that through trainings, E-SLIP has convinced her that keeping livestock such as cattle can be a sustainable way of building generational wealth.

“Cows are not just for consumption, because once you eat the cows, then there will be no development. So, we have to be patient, as cattle rearing can help my family and my children,” Ms Mpundu said.

Harrison Mwansa is the chairperson of Buce Buce Youth Cooperative and he explained that the Group was formed in 2019 to bring like-minded youths together for development activities. He disclosed that the Group received ten heifers in 2020 and later acquired a bull in 2022. Today Buce Buce Cooperative boasts of owning sixteen cows in total after six heifers gave birth.

Another group- Twi Ibimbemo Women's Club – arealso beneficiaries of E-SLIP’s restocking and stocking initiatives. Mercy Kabule, who is the Secretary of the Club, revealed that the Group, consisting of 22 members (18 of them women) received 20 female goats and 2 he-goats. 10members have already benefited from the pass-on programme.

Ebrianne Besa is one of the beneficiaries of the pass on and she reiterated the positive impact that the interventions havehad on her agricultural pursuits.

“The pass-on exercise is helping us take care of our families. I take care of my orphaned grandchildren, and whenever thereis a need, I sell some goats to pay for their school requirements,” Ms Besasaid. She added that she occasionally exchanged goats for manual labor duringthe farming season.

“I would like to thank the government and the E-SLIP programme for the goat pass-on intervention because it came; we were even begging for salt. But through this empowerment, we can purchase and provide the necessities for our children like books, clothes, and shoes.”

Acting District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator for Mwansabombwe district Dr. Josiah Zimba, provided more insight into the workings of the pass-on program and the strategic approach E-SLIP employed to enhance the sustainable success of the Livestock Pass-On Programmein the region.

“E-SLIP is here to ensure that 50% of the beneficiaries are women and the guidelines dictate that the people who receive the animals must take care of them. This involves ensuring proper and adequate animal care, availability of water, and training by officers from the Department of Livestock in feed formulation and pasture production,” Dr. Zimba said.

He also revealed that since the cattle pass-on programme started, Mwansabombwe district now has one hundred and forty-eight cows as a result of the E-SLIP pass-on requirements.

Recipients of beef and dairy cattle are expected to pass on the first one (1) year old heifer, goat recipients must pass on five (5) nannies at six (6) months of age while chicken recipients must pass on 20 pullets at three (3) years of age.

As the E-SLIP progresses, it is anticipated that these initiatives will have a lasting impact on the agricultural landscapeof Luapula province, setting the stage for sustainable growth and prosperity.

The primary objective of the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP) has been to enhance the livelihoods of impoverished rural households and with financial support from: the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), and the OPEC Fund for International Development(OFID) as well as beneficiary groups, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has been the lead implementer of E-SLIP interventions.

NAIS

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