By Matsobane Manaka
Delegates from National Department of Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) accompanied by representatives from both National Department of Agriculture, Land Affairs and Rural Development (DALARD) and Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) visited Mamaila Community Landcare project to witness and evaluate its feasibility for possible piloting purpose.
The community-led project, which according to Corporal Masutha represents 436 local farmers, mainly livestock, secured a Chipper (Fodder) machine through Land Care programme from LDARD. This followed their challenge of encroachment by alien plants occupying the huge amount of grazing space for their livestock.
Their nightmare of getting rid of alien plants turned into an economic-spin off in their area. However, after de-bushing of alien trees, they feed it into Chipper machine for processing into animal fodder. The fodder then stored in the open to dry and later feed their livestock. Surplus is sold to neighbouring villages.
Mamaila community therefore started to benefit from Land Care programme through job creation and other skills development.
The initiative drew interest from DPME, which is an Office from the President who identified this project to get the framework of whether the project can be piloted and in terms of securing funds from Treasury once proved to be feasible.
Zakhele Mdlalose from DPME impressed by the creativity employed which made an impact to the lives of the citizens including turning around the challenge into the solution of alien plant invasion. He further appreciated the investment made by the department to ensure the project can sustain the economy in the area and the fact that the project involved issues of transformation.
Lydia Bosoga from DALARD urged the Co-operative to ensure that the natural resources within their scale of operation should always being looked after since management and restoration of the land keeps and sustains the livelihood.
Representatives from University of Limpopo committed to make further research in that regard.
