Farmers were overwhelmed with joy and hope when the Eastern Cape MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nonkqubela handed over 17 Nguni Cattle bulls, saying the bulls will improve the quality of their livestock and fetch good prices at the market.
Ntombomzi Qeqe-Lwana of Die Vlagte farm in Somerset East hailed the department’s endeavors to ensure communal farmers are given resources and investments that will make them produce quality and get profits.
The MEC was releasing one of the department Agricultural products from the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, in partnership with the East Cape Nguni Club, to farmers in the Sarah Baartman, Amathole and OR Tambo Districts as part of the Livestock Production Improvement Scheme (LIPS).
“I thank the department very much for these Nguni bulls because it will assist me to change my flock and my customers will get satisfaction. “This handover come at a jolly time, when we start the new year we will know we have quality breeds to develop our cattle. It’s a good programme as it assist us to venture into markets and be able to get profits so that we can fend for our families and create employment,” Qeqe- Lwana said.
Sicelo Rozani from Libode said he was farming with both cattle and sheep and as farmers they applied for assistance from Department and they we elated that they will get two bulls.
“We are very grateful to the department about this gift, it assist in growing our enterprises in the rural space,” Rozani said.
The Department is driving commercialization of livestock development in communal and smallholder farming communities in order to increase Redmeat production in the Eastern Cape Province.
Through partnerships with the private and public sector, the department will be able to continue supporting farmers to be able to participate in the agricultural value chain, contribute to the economy and create jobs.
In the 2023/24 financial year, the Department has set aside a budget of R12.8 million to support communal and smallholder farmers with 250 cattle, 500 sheep and 200 goats to enhance Redmeat and animal fiber development in the Province.
“You can see how beautiful these cattle and they are given to you so that you can make money. I’m giving
you a responsibility today to guard your money.
“Our aim to develop farmers to become commercial hence this programme and we encourage farmers to
guard and use these animals wisely for the benefit of their businesses,” Pieters said.
