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

 

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 heartfelt gratitude 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.

Doris Mpundu, a farmer benefiting from the E-SLIP Pass-On programme, expressed her gratitude, highlighting that the project has successfully challenged cultural prejudices associated with cattle rearing in the Mwansabombwe community.

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

Doris Mpundu, a member of Buce Buce Youth Cooperative in Mwansabombwe district, elaborated on how the intervention is 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.

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

Ms Mpundu further emphasized that the E-SLIP Programme has shown 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.”

Harrison Mwansa, chairperson of Buce Buce Youth Cooperative, explained that the group, formed in 2019 to bring like-minded youths together for development programs, initially received ten heifers in 2020 and later acquired a bull in 2022. The group now boasts sixteen cows in total after six heifers gave birth.

Ebrianne Besa, a member of Twi Ibimbemo Women's Club and a beneficiary under the E-SLIP goat pass-on programme component, shared her success story, emphasizing the positive impact the initiative has had on her life and agricultural pursuits.

“The pass-on programme is helping us take care of our families. I take care of my orphaned grandchildren, and whenever there is a need, I sell some goats to pay for their school requirements,” she said. Ms. Besa further stated that she uses the goats in exchange for manual labor during the farming season.

Mercy Kabule, the secretary of Twi Ibimbemo Women's Club, revealed that the group, consisting of twenty-two members, with eighteen being women, received twenty female goats and two he-goats with ten members are already benefiting from the pass-on programme.

She further highlighted that the goat pass-on programme has improved their lives, addressing previous struggles in certain aspects of their daily lives.

“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.”

Dr. Josiah Zimba, the Acting District Fisheries and Livestock coordinator in Mwansabombwe district, provided insight into the workings of the pass-on program, shedding light on the strategic approach E-SLIP employs to ensure the sustainable success of the Livestock Pass-On Programme in the region.

“E-SLIP is here to ensure that 60% of the beneficiaries are women, prioritizing 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 from the E-SLIP programme.

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

The Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme continues to be a beacon of hope for farmers in Mwansabombwe district, fostering positive change and overcoming longstanding challenges in livestock rearing. As the program progresses, it is anticipated that these initiatives will have a lasting impact on the agricultural landscape of 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. E-SLIP achieved this by building upon the lessons learned from its predecessor - the Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (SLIP). E-SLIP is being implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock 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).


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