The North West MEC for Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development, Mr Boitumelo Tshwene, calls upon all interested farming communities to apply for participation in the final phase of the North West/Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Nguni Cattle Development pilot project. The application cycle for participation in this much talked about project is open until the end of June 2010.
This tripartite partnership project between the department, the Industrial Development Corporation and the North West University, Mafikeng campus, has shown remarkable growth since its inception four years ago.
The Project Manager, Mr Andrew Mathe, says all interested farmers must fill in application forms which are obtainable from all departmental local development centres and district offices, and submit them back to these offices for a selection process that will include short listing of potential beneficiaries, interviews and an on-site visit by the provincial technical committee to verify information provided by applicants.
The set criteria for participation in the project include:
- Sufficient land to accommodate livestock numbers at recommended rates
- Applicants must be in possession of certified proof indicating ownership, lease-right or use-right of the land for the duration of the project (five years)
- Livestock must be managed in a controlled environment
- Commitment to the project and that daily supervision of livestock must be ensured.
"There are however specific exclusions for participation in the project," explains Mathe, "where personnel and their immediate families of participating institutions, all public servants and their immediate families and communities currently benefitting from any beef projects originating from the participating institutions are prohibited from participating in the project," emphasised Mathe.
For each successful application, 24 Nguni cattle (23 heifers and one bull) are handed over in a form of a loan (in animals and not in money). Each beneficiary will enter into a contract, committing to return back to the project 11 heifers and a bull after five years and keep the remaining number and any progeny resulting from efficient management of the herd.
The main objective of this project is to reintroduce the Nguni breed of cattle into the province in large numbers, focusing specifically on emerging black farmers. The project is again aimed at empowering these farmers with livestock farming skills and developing their entrepreneurship abilities.
The Nguni cattle have been chosen specifically because they are an indigenous breed and can thrive under difficult conditions. They are easy to maintain because of their low cost input, are reputed to have high fertility rates, and can withstand adverse conditions and diseases than other breed of cattle.
More than hundred beneficiaries from all districts in the province, who include both individuals and communities, have benefitted from this project since its inception in 2006. The technical committee encourages both young aspirant farmers and female farmers to also take advantage of this opportunity and apply for participation.
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719 or 5684
Cell: 082 901 2435
Fax: 018 384 4571
E-mail: Bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
