Story by Aifheli Mudau
A Beitbridge farmer has embraced empowerment opportunities unveiled by the Second Republic after venturing into a thriving piggery project that is also creating employment for the local community.
The rural Matshiloni village is now a hub of piggery projects from where the Beitbridge community sources its pork.
A project by one of the local farmers, Dr Felix Venge, has created employment over and above contributing to food security in the district.
Workers and community members say the initiative has had a positive social impact, particularly among young people.
“As youths, we are learning a lot from this project. It keeps us occupied and gives us an opportunity to stay away from negative influences such as drug abuse,” an employee said.
“As women, we are benefiting through employment and by selling our grain to the project. It is helping the whole community, as both young people and elders are getting piece jobs,” a community member added.
The farmer, who has a current stock of around 500 pigs of different sizes, says he has taken up the Second Republic’s challenge to fully exploit available economic opportunities and contribute to national development.
“Remember, the President is the one who launched this piggery project sometime back and we thought of running with it. We are now a major supplier of pork in Beitbridge town. This project is also standing as a major market for local villagers who want to sell their grains, and we also help with employment,” Dr Venge said.
The development comes as more communities continue to benefit from the piggery pass-on scheme, a programme spearheaded by Government to promote livestock production and enhance rural incomes across the country.
