Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
KZN agriculture aims to improve livestock quality
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KZN DARD) is on a drive to ensure livestock belonging to farmers in the province are of the best genetic make-up in an effort to boost their profitability. As part of this drive, farmers in the Amajuba District of the provice were set to make considerable gains after the department rolled out the livestock improvement programme in the area.
Agriculture Minister Super Zuma delivered Brahman bulls to farmers in the area, in response to concerns raised by local farmers about the condition of their cattle resulting from poor genetics.
The department also donated farming implements and spent time engaging with farmers.
Zuma made his first visit to the Osizweni area, where the farmers are based, in late January and his follow-up visit was at the beginning of February.
On both occasions, Zuma held engagements with farmers who shed light on challenges hindering their progress.
During the handover, Zuma was joined by KZN MEC for Finance Peggy Nkonyeni who attended to gain inputs from farmers in preparation for the 2024 provincial budget presentation.
Nkonyeni revealed that her department was also conducting an inspection to ensure that the budget allocated to the Agriculture Department was correct and adequately spent and that programmes announced during the 2023 Budget speech were being undertaken.
“We visited a number of projects in Osizweni and we are proud of the work being done by KZN DARD and MEC Zuma. These programmes are improving the lives of farmers and I can attest that the department is doing what it had promised to do for all farmers.” Women made up most of the beneficiaries, said Nkonyeni.
Zuma said that for local farmers to be competitive in the market, the quality of cattle had to improve.
IMPROVEMENT
“With our livestock improvement programmes we want to raise commercial farmers. We have already struck several deals with industry leaders which will see our farmers soar, making enough profit to sustain their families.
“We want to create businessmen and women through agriculture who will in turn create job opportunities,” said Zuma.
Speaking on behalf of the Amajuba District Livestock Association, Sibongile Nkosi said the cattle would be handed over to farmers in Dannhauser, Newcastle and Emadlangeni. She said the Brahman bulls were a solution to long-standing issues and her responsibility will be to monitor and ensure that farmers are following the breeding plan. “We are excited; one of the main issues was that we could not sell our cattle at the right price because of their current condition.
“Farmers now have an opportunity to make a profit,” said Nkosi.