The council says the projects will enable villagers to have alternative sources of incomes.

 

"The aim of the council is to improve livestock and farming sectors by putting in place infrastructure like dams for livestock keeping and irrigation farming, " the District Council Economist, Mr Marwa Isack said. He was speaking at a stakeholders' meeting to discuss alternative forms of livelihoods for the communities surrounding the mine.

 

The council, he said, also plans to set up milk processing factory in the villages to create more opportunities for young men and women. The Mine Community Relations Officer, Mr Zakayo Kalebo, commended the milk factory plan, saying it will inspire farmers to increase milk production in the villages.

 

They called for seriousness in construction of the dam, which will stimulate more investments in areas of horticultural and beekeeping as well as supporting small scale miners.

 

earch for Common Ground (SFCG), a worldwide non-profit organisation, organised the meeting whose attendees were mostly local leaders, including councilors and government officials from the villages around the mine.

 

SFCG project Manager at Tarime Office Jacob Mulikuza said alternative sources of seeking a living will also help to reduce or stop local people's dependence on the investor.

 

SFCG latest survey shows that majority villagers neighbouring the mine prefer to have alternative incomes to improve their relationship with the investor.

 

Mr Mulikuza said it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to support initiatives to establish alternative sources of livelihoods for sustainable development in villages surrounding the gold mine. SFCG has since 2011 been striving to resolve conflicts pitting villagers and the mining investor.

Source : allafrica.com