Assistance for local farmers
KWAMTHETHWA'S farmers welcomed the assistance given to them so they can become more than subsistence livestock farmers.
This after uMfolozi
Municipality initiated an engagement programme with local emerging farmers at Shayamoya dip, where they were on Friday given materials and veterinary drugs and injections to keep their livestock healthy as winter approaches.
The engagements were aimed at providing solutions to challenges such as climate change and land degradation.
Farmers were also educated on the most effective strategy to protect farms and livestock to keep them healthy, such as to prevent or reduce the risks of disease.
Addressing the farmers, veterinarian Dr Mondli Ngcamu encouraged them to always think about becoming commercial rather than keeping lots of livestock which sometimes becomes a burden to manage.
Mfolozane dip chairperson Mqondwa Kunene said it has since dawned on them that the time to keep many livestock should come to an end, and they are starting to farm and sell to make a living out of their animals.
“We are very appreciative of this initiative that has enabled us to think more than before about why we are farming. We, however, urge government departments responsible for agriculture to assist us in maintaining this facility where we nurse our cows. There is a lack of water and the medication is not sufficient,” said Kunene.
Commenting on the assistance they are giving to local farmers, uMfolozi Mayor Xolani Bhengu said they have invited a well-established black female auctioneer to talk to them about how they can penetrate the market when they want to sell their animals.
“I want to assure all farmers around uMfolozi that this is just the beginning, where we have covered at least three wards. We will do a proper budget to visit all dips in uMfolozi,” said Bhengu.