Quthing, July 15 — Community representatives from various villages within the Regeneration of Livelihoods and Landscape (ROLL) Project area in the Let’sa-La-Letsie catchment will undergo a one-day training on charcoal production at Ha-Peete next Thursday.
ROLL Project Field Officer Ms. Moselantja Rahlao explained that the training is part of the project’s objective to equip communities with practical skills to improve their livelihoods.
She noted that local residents are currently engaged in the removal of Felicia, filifolia, chrysocoma indigenous shrubs, locally known as sehalahala, and will now be trained to change the shrubs into charcoal for income generation.
Ms. Rahlao emphasized that charcoal production will encourage communities to intensify shrub removal, addressing the negative impact of sehalahala on rangelands within the catchment.
“This initiative will change community perceptions and motivate them to take the removal of invasive shrubs seriously,” she said.
The ROLL Project Officer added that this
will be the first charcoal production project of its kind in the district, potentially inspiring other communities to adopt similar practices, as sehalahalahas become a widespread challenge across pastures in the district.
The last livelihood improvement activity under the project was held in June, when community representatives received cottage industry training in the production of bedding, cushions, and rugs.
The ROLL Project is also being implemented in Thaba-Tseka, Leribe, Berea, Qacha’s Nek, and Botha-Bothe. It isfunded by international partners including the International Fund forAgricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Government of Lesotho.
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