The Animal Production Officer at the Wa Municipal Agricultural Department, Mr Saeed Ismail, has stated that the Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ) programme is a government intervention that seeks to support farmers who are into rearing.
He explained that the initiative is part of government efforts to alleviate poverty and provide employment to the farmers.
According to him, the RFJ programme supports farmers who are into rearing but do not have the financial capability to purchase the animals. The government supported the farmers with the animals and necessary resources needed to take care of the animals.
Mr Ismail explained that the government announced to the public that persons who want to go into rearing register with the Department of Agriculture in their respective districts.
He said the initiative aims to promote inclusivity and benefit everyone in the country. He added that the selected individuals underwent training to be able to take care of the animals.
He stated that the Upper West Region received only sheep from the government at the beginning of the programme, even though it was supposed to include birds.
He described the sheep as different from those in the region in size, shape and height.
According to him, the sheep are different and healthier than those in the region.
He explained that the program benefited 40 people, including 37 men and 3 women from the start, in the Wa Municipality.
Each beneficiary received 10 sheep initially and is expected to return 10 sheep to the government after 3 years for redistribution.
Speaking to Info radio, Mr Ismail said most of the sheep lost their lives upon arrival due to transportation stress from a long distance.
He said, “We lost most of the sheep because of transportation stress while some also died on the way to the country”.
He noted that despite the sad beginning, the programme is still in progress.
He concluded that, with commercialization, the farmers are expected to notify the livestock Department to aid them in marketing the breeds for higher profit.
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