TAPP Distributes 1,600 Goats to Dowa Farmers
A local non-governmental organization, Trustees of Agricultural Promotion Programme (TAPP), has distributed 1,600 goats worth over K96 million to 800 lead farmers in Dowa District through its Transform project.
The initiative aims to enhance the livelihoods of these farmers and contribute to sustainable agricultural transformation, ultimately increasing incomes and food security among households.
At the handover ceremony, TAPP Program Officer Anita Mahata emphasized that the project will boost agricultural production and resilience to climate change among smallholder farmers.
“It is also one way of increasing resilience to climate change among smallholder farmers who are the beneficiaries of this project,” she said.
Samuel Madingo, Crops Officer at Dowa Agriculture Office, praised the organization’s effort, highlighting the potential for farmers to generate income and improve their households through the project.
“Though the manure from the goats, that will help improve soil fertility and eventually improve crop development and yield,” Madingo said.
Beneficiary Witness Mandala, a lead farmer, expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that the goats will improve soil fertility through manure, leading to better crop production, increased income, and improved nutritional status through meat consumption.
“The goats will help improve soil fertility through manure which we expect will improve crop production and it will also help generate income and also improve our nutritional status through meat,” said Mandala.
The project targets 35,000 households, who will also benefit from other TAPP initiatives, including irrigation farming, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, watershed management, and linking farmers to markets.
Beneficiaries from Mndolera, Chibvala Nachisaka, and Mvera Extension Planning Areas each received two goats, made possible through funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy via Norwegian Danish and Church Aid.
