22 Feb 2013

The low quota for the price of goats intended for the LIMID programme has been highlighted as an impediment to poverty eradication efforts.

This came to light during Mabutsane Sub-district's recent heads of department meeting addressed by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso.

The deputy district commissioner for the sub-district, Mr Charles Modise explained that the disparity between the LIMID and Youth Development Fund quota was a challenge to implementation of LIMID.

He said since the LIMID quota was low, most farmers declined to sell hence resulting in backlog of applications.

He noted that the situation drove them to solicit goats from other regions, which did not have the same geographical and environmental features as theirs, something which he said came with challenges.

“Some of these goats from far places do not adapt well to the conditions in our region and they get diseased,” he explained.

The assistant scientific officer (animal production) for the sub-district, Mr Tshupo Khudu added that they also were short of transport to ferry the goats from procurement areas.

He also suggested that there should be a small camp for holding goats from other regions before they could be distributed to the applicants. These holding places, he said, would allow for the goats to be observed and treated for any ailments if any.

Mr Khudu noted that the idea of holding camps could be expanded to include breeding goats for applicants in the region, rather than buying from outside the area.

In response, the assistant minister acknowledged the concern about goat prices. She noted that the issue was still being looked into. ENDS