The North West MEC for agriculture and rural development, Desbo Mohono, gave 10 young cattle farmers a big boost when she gifted each of them with a Bonsmara bull. This, she says, will go a long way in expanding their cattle herds.
During a virtual presentation on livestock improvement, Mohono said the bulls was another attempt by her department to assist talented young farmers in the province. In the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, bulls were handed over to farmers Luanda Mzimkhulu Malo, Kehentse Mosimanyane, Olerile Lekgetho and Orapeleng Gabaya.
Another three bulls were gifted to Galaletsang Mompei, Nami Huma and Thulani Tsholanagang who are based in the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality.
In the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, the recipients were Thato Haraba and Goitseone Mogaetsho, and in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, Keorapetse Tlhapi also received a Bonsmara bull.
Lekgetho, a livestock and vegetable farmer, tells Food For Mzansi the MEC’s donation couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Sometimes things just happen in mysterious ways. Three weeks back, I did a pregnancy test on about 30 to 35 of my cows, and they all tested negative which made me realise that I didn’t have enough bulls.
“Fortunately, I got a call from the department on Sunday to tell me that they would donate a bull to me. I was so happy I was even jumping.”
Lekgetho adds that North West farmers have the greatest admiration for the work done by Mohono. “For the first time, we have somebody who is on the ground. The MEC is really trying. She knows all her farmers and she visits their farms and projects,” he says.
Paying it forward
According to Lekgetho, the gifted Bonsmara bull will immensely benefit his herd because it had a good breeding index. Three years from now, he intends donating one of the bull’s future male offsprings to assist other up-and-coming farmers.
“Government is not requesting that from us. I’m just doing it by myself to help another farmer like I was helped,” says Lekgetho.
Meanwhile, Mohono indicates that the young farmers helped have not received any assistance from her department before. “Bull prices are quite exorbitant and that’s why we decided to gift the farmers with these bulls because young farmers can’t afford them.”
The Bonsmara bulls underwent rigorous testing before being gifted to farmers.
She encouraged all the beneficiaries to take full advantage of this opportunity.
“Our young people, take yourself seriously so that people can take yourself seriously. Know that when you are in this industry, you are a businessman, you are a businesswoman. Walk the talk. Don’t give up,” she said.
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