Farmers in the Eastern Cape were filled with joy and hope when handed 17 Nguni cattle bulls. Adding to the excitement is that these bulls are expected to enhance the quality of their livestock and fetch good prices at the market.
Ntombomzi Qeqe-Lwana from Die Vlagte farm in Somerset East expressed gratitude for Eastern Cape MEC for rural development and agrarian reform Nonkqubela Pieters’ efforts to provide communal farmers with resources and investments. In partnership with the East Cape Nguni Club, the MEC released agricultural products to farmers in the Sarah Baartman, Amathole, and OR Tambo Districts as part of the Livestock Production Improvement Scheme (LIPS).
Qeqe-Lwana appreciated the Nguni bulls, stating that they would help improve the quality of her flock and satisfy customers. The programme comes at a crucial time, providing farmers with quality breeds to develop their cattle and venture into markets, ultimately generating profits for their families.
“This handover comes at a jolly time as we head into a new year. We have quality breeds to develop our cattle. It’s a good programme as it helps 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.
Gifts to grow enterprises
Sicelo Rozani from Libode said he was farming with both cattle and sheep and as farmers, they applied for assistance from the department and were elated that they would get two bulls.
“We are very grateful to the department for this gift, it assists in growing our enterprises in the rural space,” Rozani said.
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Focus on the red meat industry
The Department is bust driving the commercialisation of livestock development in communal and smallholder farming communities to increase red meat production in the Eastern Cape Province.
Through partnerships with the private and public sectors, 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 red meat and animal fibre 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.
“We 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.
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