Over R667 000 worth of livestock was sold when the first ever town auction was held in Engcobo in the Eastern Cape on 2 June this year. A record 70% of the 135 heads of livestock supplied were sold. This, while the top price achieved was R17 100 for an ox bull that weighed 733 kg and the average selling price was R7 125.
The auction was possible thanks to leading animal health products provider Afrivet’s Emthonjeni programme. In a statement released yesterday, Afrivet says that it is unbelievably proud of the Afrivet Training Services (ATS) team for their hard work.
The Emthonjeni programme was initiated in 2019 in partnership with the Eastern Cape department of rural development and agrarian reform, as a means to implement the lessons learned and material developed in Afrivet’s Primary Animal Healthcare Programme.
The department identified the Engcobo local municipality as a good pilot project site, given its livestock resources and challenges with poverty and economic development.
“Many small-scale farmers struggle to access the right products at the right time, combined with the necessary technical support, to effectively prevent and treat diseases and parasites in their animals,” says Dr Peter Oberem, CEO of Afrivet.
Afrivet’s efforts towards meaningful intervention have paid off since. “I learned a lot from the experience of the auction,” says Mr L. Gcina, owner of the prize bull of the day.
“We used the veterinary medicine, provided by the Afrivet community animal health worker responsible for managing our dip tank, we dosed and we fed the animal. We kept the animal in that condition, and it was grazing in a bigger and better place.
“We are happy at home and the money will make a difference. We didn’t expect the price we got for the animal, and we hope that next time the price will be even better than it was this time.”
Gcina says that, if there were to be another stock sale next year, he will send his cattle. “Yes, yes I will!”
Four areas of support
The Emthonjeni programme is based on four pillars.
Community mobilisation: Afrivet has appointed 35 community animal health workers (CAHW) to provide real-time support at a local level. These individuals are receiving accredited training, a stipend and are able to sell and support Afrivet’s stock remedies needed by farmers for a commission.
Thirty-five decent, sustainable jobs have been created in this way in this one district.
Dip tank management: Through the CAHWs, Afrivet has developed a good understanding of the status of the dip tanks and improved dip tank reporting so that appropriate measures, that improve survival and production of the livestock, can be implemented.
Access to veterinary products and services: Afrivet utilises the 35 CAHWs to facilitate access to the stock remedies, training and technical support needed at ground level.
As time is the critical aspect in disease management, having ready access to both the products and support needed, makes all the difference, says Afrivet.
Livestock marketing: Through ear-tagging and auctions (such as the one from this year), Afrivet continues to help communal farmers reach the market sector. “The price received for livestock in the auction is a positive indication that this project has been a success since its inception in 2019,” says the company.
“Many small-scale cattle farmers now have a positive perception about auctions, which in turn, leads to higher cattle productivity and brings in more revenue for their prize herds.
Afrivet says it is excited about this development because it drives long-term sustainability and a more confident approach for small-scale farmers because the results are evident. It is expected that this project will be replicated around the country.
ALSO READ: E. Cape MEC applauds Afrivet’s Ngcobo dip tank project
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