By staff reporter

The Presidential Goat Scheme (PGS) was successfully launched yesterday in ward five in Lutumba, Beitbridge in Matebeleland South Province.

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development, Davis Marapira launched the scheme which is part of the national rural development strategy aimed at uplifting people in the rural areas.

Speaking during the launch, Deputy Minister Marapira said the scheme would empower rural people and make them contribute to the economic development of the country.

 “The scheme is set to uplift everyone in this area. Beitbridge is well known for goat production therefore this scheme will go a long way to ensure that everyone is empowered. The President is working hard to ensure that everyone is empowered and that we reach an Upper-Middle Income Status economy by 2030. Through this project, people will be able to export goat meat in future,” said the Minister.

Deputy Minister Marapira further said chiefs would be mandated to monitor the PGS in every household. He said this would ensure the success of the programme.

“Chiefs, we now handover the job to you. Everyone here will be given goats, therefore, you need to go village by village to monitor the progress of this project,” said Deputy Minister Marapira

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matebeleland South Province, Abednego Ncube also applauded the President for launching the scheme in his province.

“The Presidential Goat Scheme is a key pillar in the agriculture sector. It seeks to commercialise rural goat production and improve households, nutrition and income,” said Ncube.

Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries of the Scheme, Obert Moyo thanked the President for empowering them. He said the New Dispensation had shown that it had people at heart by launching various programmes aimed at uplifting people’s lives.