VILLAGE CHICKEN OPEN DAY

By Nthabiseng Majara – National Coordinator, SGP Lesotho

Biodiversity loss is a global environmental problem affecting the livelihood of people all over the world. For Lesotho, the loss of the unique gene pool of indigenous chickens poses several significant problems. Introduced chickens lack the local diseases resistance that indigenous chickens have, a breed that is endangered and faces extinction.  Thus the Rural Self-help Development Association (RSDA), a non- governmental organization in Lesotho, is implementing a Project “The preservation of the gene pool of Lesotho’s indigenous chickens.” This project aims to research and demonstrate the performance of these chickens under proper management and to initiate breeding of this vital asset to sustainable levels. It is also meant to create awareness and add value to the importance of the indigenous chickens by government and the wider Lesotho community.

To this end a Village Chicken Open Day was organized at the Project site in Tsita’s Nek – Mafeteng District.

	UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (first from right, holding the box) and Director – ActionAid handing over chickens to Members of Ramoetsane Community Council

The purpose of the village poultry open day was to increase visibility and the socio-economic importance of the village chicken. The day was marked by touring of the project facilities, sharing of findings of the socio economic study that was completed recently as well as witnessing handing over of chickens to re-stock Ramoetsane Community Council in partnership with Action-Aid Lesotho. The event was graced with the presence of senior officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Livestock Services, Local Authorities (Chief and Community Councillors), members of the GEF-SGP NSC; representation from the office of the GEF National Focal Point; HIV&AIDS support groups and the local communities. The involvement of the local councils and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the program.

     The RSDA has been involved in poultry initiatives for more than a decade. They have been implementing a Sida-funded HIV/AIDS mitigation project involving the supply of koekoek (improved breed) chickens to vulnerable households (identified by the Lesotho Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS; LENEPWHA) in Berea district. The Koekoek chickens unlike the indigenous chicken do not brood hence the RSDA had a diesel powered hatchery used for breeding of the koekoek using eggs from a group of villagers working with the NGO.

     With SGP support, the hatchery is now solar powered; and an indigenous chicken breeding site has been established. Those who received chickens on the open day received the koekoek chickens and the indigenous chickens to facilitate growth of the donated stocks without having to necessarily bring eggs to the hatchery. The pass-on-the-gift model will be used to ensure that all targeted households benefit from the project. The Japanese Embassy through its partnership with the UNDP Country Office in Lesotho, financed installation of solar power at the farm and harnessing of water from a natural spring to supply the farm and more than 500 households within the vicinity of the farm with clean water.

Some quotes from statements by key speakers on the Village Chicken Open Day

 “Gather as much information as possible so that you are well equipped to hit the ground running” - Mr. P. Mpobole, on behalf of the District Administrator for Mafeteng

“Grants that are provided by GEF-SGP are not much but what is more important are the positive impacts they have that will attract more resources to replicate our initiatives in a bid to alleviate poverty thereby achieving MDGs1 and 7” - Mr. Georges van Montfort, UNDP Deputy Res Rep.

“..the project is very important in that it does not only help in the fight against poverty but it is also directly implementing Goal 1 of the NBSAP which is a local strategy for the implementation of the Biodiversity Convention” – Mr. A. Ratsele on behalf of the GEF-NFP

“..the wheel of change must see to it that food security is achieved at community level…it is time for community councils to amend their regulations such that they are aligned with the national goal on household food security…” – Mr. Motsamai, Director ActionAid Lesotho.