At least M250, 000 has been funded by the Australian Government to the Rural Self Help Development Association (RSDA) for among others to purchase initial dairy cows.

According to RSDA's Media and Communications Adviser, Mr. Darren Elder, the money will also be used for veterinary supplies, livestock feeding and buying of office equipment for rearing and breeding of diary cows’ centre at Ha Nots'i in the Mafeteng district.

Mr. Elder said construction of the centre is nearing completion and it is expected to be fully operational within six months.

'Once operational, the centre will be a long awaited reliable supplier of pure-bred dairy calves to Lesotho dairy farmers,' he said.

He added that construction of the centre is one aspect of a four year project aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of milk produced by Lesotho's small holder dairy farmers.

The Media and Communication Adviser further said the funding is part of continuing development cooperation between Australia and Lesotho totaling to over M24 million for the past 10 years.

The funds covered programmes as diverse as electoral and trade related capacity building, drought assistance and the recently established Australian volunteer programme within RSDA.

Source: LENA 17/03/2008