sector readies itself for better stakes
3 July 2006
The Department of Agriculture and Land Reform will be hosting various
role-players involved in animal production in the developing areas of South
Africa as the four-day symposium of the Developing Animal Agriculture Interest
Group (DAAIG) gets underway in Upington today. The symposium which is to be
held at the Departmentâs Karakul Research Station is to be attended by over 80
delegates that would include interest groups such as farmers, scientists and
technologists in animal production, veterinarians and animal health officers,
agricultural economist and extension officers.
This will be the 21st Symposium of the Group which serve as the basis for an
active exchange of ideas on current issues related to livestock especially
focusing on the emerging sector. Other matters that are to come under
discussion include; community empowerment programmes and the conservation of
farm animal genetic resources and goat production. The keynote speaker will be
Khara Hais Mayor Gift Van Staden. The CEO of the National Emergent Red Meat
Producers Organisation, Mr Aggrey Mahanyane will also address the gathering.
Leading specialists are to address the symposium which would also provide young
scientist with an opportunity of presenting their research fields and
findings.
The symposium comes amid serious discussions having evolved around national
agricultural policies and their linkages to the enhancement of equitable access
and participation in agriculture, Improving global competitiveness and
profitability in agriculture and ensuring food security. Agriculture in the
Northern Cape Province is the second largest economic sector whereby, 67% of
farmland is used for extensive farming, especially sheep and goats. Livestock
production therefore plays a major role in contributing towards the high value
of agricultural outputs, food security, poverty alleviation and employment
opportunities.
The Department of Agriculture and Land Reform introduced the Livestock
Improvement Programme (LIP) to empower emerging farmers, land reform
beneficiaries and food security projects through the disposal of surplus
animals at research farms in a responsible and equitable way. The Department
has also established the Animal Production Development Committee (APDC) with
the main responsibility of developing and promoting the Livestock Industry in
the Northern Cape.
Enquiries:
Thabo Mothibi
Cell: 083 255 8840
Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Land Reform, Northern Cape
Provincial Government
3 July 2006
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.northern-cape.gov.za)
