Maseru, 21 September 2022
Senqunyane community engages in shrubs removal and fodder farming
In their efforts to improve the rangeland in the Senqunyane Priority Sub-Catchment and protect it from the destruction of soil erosion, the communities around this area have embarked in initiatives to remove shrubs in the rangeland.
Through the facilitation of Community Watershed Teams (CWT), members from Ha-Koporala, Ha-Tsi’u and Ha-Dinizulu have since engaged in the voluntary removal of shrubs.
The community members in these villages were organised into CWT’s through the support of ReNOKA’s implementing partners, Catholic Relief Services Lesotho (CRS) and Rural Self-Help Development Association (RSDA).
The CWTs in the Senqunyane area embarked in a visioning exercise aimed at analysing community-specific issues, develop solutions and commit to a shared vision of success.
One of the key challenges facing the Senqunyane area is degrading rangeland and the invasive shrub species which threaten the productivity of the rangeland.
ReNOKA procured and distributed fodder seeds to the community members to grow and produce fodder which is aimed at improving and minimizing soil erosion in the rangelands areas where shrubs have been removed.
In addition to reducing soil erosion by minimising the frequency of tilling, fodder production can also be used for stall feeding, eliminating the need to graze animals on rangelands and simultaneously deescalating land degradation.
The Departments of Forestry and Range Resources Management at the Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conversation in Thaba-Tseka provided general and specialised lessons on the vital components for growing and reseeding of fodder to the community members. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) in the Mohale area also supported the Dinizulu community with tools required for the removal of shrubs.
The fodder seeds distributed amongst the community included eragrostic curvula, grazing vetch, fodder sorghum, barley, cow pea, oats and soya bean.
Other activities include imminent trial exercises to be undertaken by farmers to identify the most suitable fodder for the area. Results will be communicated to surrounding communities.
