By Tshifhiwa Muifha
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), Vhembe District, recently celebrated Landcare Day at Gidjamandeni Village under the Collins Chabane Local Municipality.
The event highlighted the important role of the Landcare Programme in promoting sustainable natural resource management, improving livestock production and creating employment opportunities in rural communities.
The Landcare Programme is a government initiative that amongst others, encourages communities, local groups and farmers to take responsibility of their natural resources. The programme advocates for the sustainable management and conservation of agricultural resources.
At Gidjamandeni Village, LDARD, through its LandCare Conditional Grant, is developing grazing camps across a 1,300-hectare area to improve livestock production.
To date, 11 km of grazing camps have been fenced. A borehole has also been drilled and equipped, with two livestock drinking troughs installed to improve access to water for livestock. In addition, work is currently underway to clear a further 593 hectares of invasive plants and to fence an additional 12 km of grazing camps.
The infrastructure will benefit livestock farmers in Gidjamandeni Village by improving access to grazing resources and livestock water, while supporting better and more improved livestock productivity and the sustainable utilisation of communal grazing resource.
“Landcare in Gidjamandeni has created 130 permanent jobs,” said Chauke, highlighting the programme’s contribution to local livelihoods and economic development.
Mrs Wisani Mushadu from LDARD Veld Condition assessment and Management services encouraged farmers to regularly assess the condition of their grazing land to ensure that livestock have access to nutritious pastures.
