05 Mar 2019

Ngamiland community that benefited from the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) project, has called on government to support the initiative to ensure sustainability. 

They said the initiative, which was implemented by UNDP, had the potential to improve livelihoods and eradicate poverty. 

They made the plea during a ceremony to celebrate results of the five-year project, which also aimed at coming up with solutions to some of the challenges faced by the district. 

SLM introduced several innovative concepts of development to farmers and some communities in the district. 

It was implemented through collaboration with some government departments in Tsodilo Enclave, Hainaveld Ranches and Lake Ngami.

Its main objective was to address land degradation challenges in Ngamiland caused by increasing people, livestock and wildlife populations, and the proximity of the Okavango Delta to the natural resources.

Some also gave the project the thumbs up for its huge contribution towards the improvement of the livelihoods of the Ngamiland community and wished there could be continuity as they have given hope to the communities. 

The manager of Lake Ngami Conservation Trust, Mr Galefele Maokeng said one such laudable initiative is the charcoal production at Lake Ngami, which is expected to create employment opportunities for villagers and eventually help to alleviate poverty. 

He wished the government departments and other stakeholders could come on board and see how best to support the projects as there had renewed hope and would complement the government efforts towards poverty eradication.

“We cannot alleviate poverty here without successful farming and the project had taught us different practices, which we could use to improve our livelihoods, hence we need support to ensure sustainability as the SLM project comes to an end. I believe government departments must step in,” he added.

Mr Maokeng said most potential projects had collapsed in the district because of lack of support to sustain them.

Another beneficiary, Mr Othata Dikobe from Hainaveld ranches thanked UNDP and the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, saying their efforts would certainly elevate the beef industry in Ngamiland.

He said the project worked wonders for them as it encouraged them to practice proper farming methods. 

He said through an initiative called holistic land and livestock management, they turned their rearing of livestock into business and earned better profits.

The association secretary, Mr Charles Madisa hailed UNDP for coming to their rescue, noting that initially, the association had 37 members, but through support from SLM project, the association has grown to more than 130 members.

He said the project provided all the necessary support and equipment to fight the challenges of degradation and animal ticks.

The SLM Project Coordinator for the Ngamiland, Mr Innocent Magole was thankful that the community learned a lot from the project, noting that they managed to reach the grassroots through various dialogues on topics of importance.  Through the project, he said the community acquired knowledge and also made their voices heard, adding that SLM also created individual and collective pride. ENDS