23 Nov 2021

The Remote Area Development Programme (RADP) Phuduhutswana livestock syndicate in Diphuduhudu has been commended for their commitment and determination to excel in production.

This came after a visit by the RADP inter-ministerial committee to appreciate progress on the livestock borehole project for Phuduhutswana recently, which was funded under Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID).

Speaking during the tour, Mr Robert Kwantle from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development’s community unit, said they also visited the village to appreciate what the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security was doing to improve the lives of people in remote areas.

Mr Kwantle added that they also wanted to appreciate the project and were thus pleased with how syndicate or farmers was committed and determined to excel in their production.

He said as the RADP programme custodians, they encouraged other sectors to undertake projects aimed at improving the lives of people living in remote areas.

He commended the agriculture ministry for the project, saying it would change the lives of the youth of Diphuduhudu and further improve their economy. The committee, comprising different government sectors, is expected to visit other ministries to see what they were doing to change the lives of remote area dwellers.

Kweneng District animal production officer, Mr Bueno Mokhutshwane said the project was funded to the tune of over P398 000 under the LIMID through the Small Herd Owners package which is 100 per cent government funded.

He said the borehole syndicate was made up of youth who had owned livestock by being beneficiaries of various government assistance programmes such as youth development fund.

“These are the youths who have been brought up by families wholly dependent on RADP and they have a vision of breaking the chain of dependence on RADP for their children going forward,” Mr Mokhutshwane said. He said for livestock to excel, water remained paramount for farmers to increase production and their target were small herd owners who had less than 40 herds.

He added that the borehole had been handed over to the Phuduhutswana syndicate in June this year who were now in charge of their project.

He said they would continue to support them, hence training remained important on how best they can work together as a team owing to challenges that syndicates often encountered.

Phuduhutswana syndicate deputy chairperson, Mr Percy Mosarwana said they started the initiative in 2016 after realising the need to establish something that would change or better their lives. Mr Mosarwana said they then applied for a borehole through the RADP programme in 2019 and with the support of the council and local leadership, they managed to get it and the agriculture ministry assisted them to connect solar panels and a 98 000-litre reservoir.

He said the syndicate comprised 15 members who were all committed to changing lives for the better. However, he indicated that they had since paused accepting new members.

“What remains critical for us is to prepare a better future for our children and break the chain of dependence on government,” he said. ENDS