The Kasena-Nankana West District Assembly has kick-started government’s Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ) policy with a presentation of 400 sheep to over 40 livestock farmers in the area.

Each of the beneficiary livestock farmers, drawn from different communities within the district, received 10 sheep - 9 ewes and a ram- to support them in their rearing businesses to improve their livelihoods.

An additional number of sheep were also given to some farmers, who benefitted from the policy during the rainy season but lost the sheep to the harsh weather conditions, as replacement.

In his presentation speech, Head of the internal audit unit of the Assembly, Sorku Issahaku, who stepped in for the District Chief Executive, said the presentation was part of government effort to better the lives of the people by giving them the opportunity to put money in their pockets.

He said the Assembly was not only going to present the sheep to the farmers but to ensure beneficiaries are given the necessary technical support to achieve the desired success and expansion of the policy in the district.

The internal auditor encouraged beneficiaries to give the livestock all the care needed so their efforts and that of the District Assembly, aimed at reducing poverty in the area, will not go waste.

“This program is aimed at eradicating poverty in the system. So interventions like these must be taken seriously by the farmers for their own benefits. They shouldn’t take the sheep and go and sit down idling for them to die”. He cautioned.

For her part, the Kasena-Nankana West District Director of Agriculture, Doris Nabare, thanked the Assembly for the presentation, adding her outfit will see to it that the needed technical and educational support is given to the beneficiaries.

She continued that the routine supervision and monitoring of the livestock will be carried out to ensure the policy records desirable success to improve the meat production capacity of the district.

The Agric director called on the beneficiary farmers to shun certain bad rearing practices that can hamper the proper growth and development of the livestock, urging them to seek support from the District Veterinary office whenever they observe abnormalities in the health of the animals.

“We are supposed to do monitoring of the farmers to make sure that their pens are clean and farmers obey the instructions given them”. She added.

The District Veterinary Officer, Dr. Sallu Farid, who was at the handing over ceremony to educate beneficiaries on how to keep and properly take care of the sheep, urged the farmers to prioritize the wellness of their livestock to ameliorate production in the area.

He cautioned against unacceptable methods of treatment for diseases in livestock and called on the farmers to cooperate with his office to keep their animals healthy and safe from diseases.

Amoah Nobert, one of the beneficiaries from Nabango, with a mouthful of praises, thanked government and the Assembly for assisting them with the livestock.

He said the assistance has come at the appropriate time and will go a long way to create a source of livelihood for them and their families and eradicate poverty.

“Rearing has been very beneficial to me as a farmer. I have received 10 sheep so hopefully; I should get close to 200 sheep in the next two years. This way, we can get some income to take very good care of our families and eradicate poverty in our communities. The Rearing for Food and Jobs program is indeed very excellent”.

“With this, we can raise some money to take care of ourselves and pay our children’s school fees”. Bayogo Nadumtua Timothy, another beneficiary said joyously.