Nguni cattle bulls handed over to farming communities

Farmers in the Eastern Cape have received 17 Nguni cattle bulls as part of the government’s livestock production improvement scheme (LPIS).

The handover was recently officiated by Eastern Cape rural development & agrarian reform MEC Nonkqubela Pieters.

The provincial department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) was driving the commercialisation of livestock development in communal and smallholder farming communities in order to increase red meat production in the Eastern Cape, the department said in a statement.

“Through partnerships with the private and public sector, the department continues to support farmers to participate in the agricultural value chain, contribute to the economy and create jobs,” the DRDAR statement said.

The livestock was handed over to farmers in the Sarah Baartman, Amathole and OR Tambo districts.

The initiative was made possible by the DRDAR, in partnership with the East Cape

Nguni Club and the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute.

“Our aim is 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.

Ntombomzi Qeqe-Lwana, of Die Vlagte farm in Somerset

East, said: “This handover came at a good time. When we start the new year, we will know we have quality breeds to develop our cattle.”

Sicelo Rozani from Libode said he was farming with cattle and sheep. He had applied for assistance from the department and was elated to get two bulls.

“We are very grateful to the department for this gift.

“It will assist us in growing our enterprises in the rural space,” Rozani said.

In the 2023/24 financial year, the department set aside a budget of R12.8m 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. — SAnews.gov.za