Matekane hands over animal dip tank
Moroke Sekoboto AS part of the Regeneration of Landscapes and Livelihoods (ROLL) project to promote environmental conservation and agricultural productivity, Prime Minister Sam Matekane recently handed over a newly constructed animal dip tank at Likhaebaneng. The facility, which was handed over to the Makoae Wool & Mohair Growers Association, provides modern infrastructure for livestock... The post Matekane hands over animal dip tank appeared first on Lesotho Times.
Black News 
Moroke Sekoboto
AS part of the Regeneration of Landscapes and Livelihoods (ROLL) project to promote environmental conservation and agricultural productivity, Prime Minister Sam Matekane recently handed over a newly constructed animal dip tank at Likhaebaneng.
The facility, which was handed over to the Makoae Wool & Mohair Growers Association, provides modern infrastructure for livestock management. It is expected to improve the health of local herds while addressing decades of ecological damage.
“This event is a testament to the government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of people living in the highlands. The new dip tank serves as a strategic replacement for an antiquated facility that had become a silent threat within the Letša-la-Letsie wetland. As an internationally recognised site, it is essential that we protect such ecosystems to safeguard biodiversity and water quality for both livestock and communities,” Mr Matekane said.
He described the wool and mohair sector as a pillar of Lesotho’s economy, adding that the provision of modern dip tanks was aimed at improving livelihoods, creating jobs and ensuring livestock remains disease-free.
“The community leaders and farmers must adopt rotational grazing practices, as properly managed rangelands are key to biodiversity conservation and sustainable livestock production,” he said.
ROLL Project Coordinator, Mofihli Motšetšero, said the handover marked a significant milestone in efforts to balance agricultural development with environmental protection.
He said the relocation of the dip tank was critical in preventing chemical contamination that had previously threatened 45 bird species within the Letša-la-Letsie wetland. The project would specifically support the Makoae Wool & Mohair Growers Association by equipping them with modern tools for sustainable livestock management.
Mr Motšetšero added that, unlike previous interventions, the ROLL Project focused on long-term, transformative practices that would continue benefiting Quthing District well beyond the initial handover.
“For years, chemical runoff from the old site contaminated local streams, resulting in high mortality rates among wetland bird populations. Experts estimate that about 45 bird species were affected by poisoning linked to these agricultural chemicals.
“By relocating the dip tank to a carefully selected and environmentally suitable site, the ROLL Project has eliminated the main source of chemical seepage into the wetland, protected downstream ecosystems and birdlife, and ensured that farmers can maintain animal health without compromising natural resources,” Mr Motšetšero said.
For his part, Chairperson of the Makoae Wool and Mohair Association, Mokole Rankoro, underscored the regional importance of the new Likhaebaneng dip tank, noting its critical support for livestock farmers across multiple community councils. He pledged the association’s commitment to the facility’s long-term upkeep, describing the project as a significant step toward modernising Lesotho’s wool and mohair industry.
“This new Likhaebaneng facility represents a vital regional milestone, providing essential services to a wide range of livestock producers across several community councils. By centralising modern agricultural resources, it empowers local farmers to improve animal health as well as wool and mohair quality on a broader scale,” Mr Rankoro said.
“We are fully committed to the long-term maintenance and stewardship of this infrastructure, ensuring it remains a functional asset for future generations. This commitment aligns with our broader mission to modernise Lesotho’s wool and mohair industry, transforming it into a more competitive sector,” he added.
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