SERENJE – District Commissioner Mr. Paul Masuwa has officially handed over 104 goats to four local farming groups in Serenje District as part of the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP) aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity.
The livestock distribution is part of a broader national initiative by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to support smallholder farmers and increase animal production across Zambia.
To date, the programme has successfully placed 19,234 goats, along with 229,647 chickens, 2,000 rabbits, 213 pigs, and 836 beef and dairy cattle in all ten provinces of the country.
Mr Masuwa emphasized the strategic importance of the livestock transfer programme, highlighting President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision to boost animal production in Serenje and across Zambia.
“This programme is not just about distributing animals,” he stated, “but about creating a sustainable cycle of agricultural development that empowers local communities.”
And according to the Acting District Fisheries and Livestock Mr. Mathews Tembo, the E-SLIP programme employs a sophisticated community-based livestock performance monitoring system.
He adds that Community Livestock Facilitators (CLFs) who are carefully trained and supervised by the District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinating Office, will closely monitor the livestock’s performance and ensure successful pass-on of animals.
Key guidelines for the livestock transfer include:
1. Passing on an equal number of livestock to the original received.
2. Prioritizing female animals to ensure continued production.
3. Ensuring animals are in good health and body condition before transfer, and
4. Maintaining comprehensive records of transferred livestock.
Mailo and Kanono area Councillors Mr. Brevers Mwengwe Changwe Gershom respectively, encouraged the beneficiaries to follow specific guidelines as provided by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
Meanwhile, Mr Alex Ndilila in his vote of thanks applauded President Hakainde Hichilema for continued support towards vulnerable communities.
Mr. Ndilila, who also thanked member of Parliament Hon. Emmanuel Banda and Councillors for implementing government policies, assured the District Commissioner of ensuring that the goats were kept well and reproduce because it was a pass-on projects which must benefit other cooperatives in the Constituency.
The 104 goats will be shared by the following four groups namely, Mailo Pillars Club, Twende Babili Club, Takule Youth Club and Chibale Youth Club.
