Bulls worth R3 million for small and medium scale farmers
The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s endeavour to improve the quality and reproductive rates of livestock in the province will be realised when the department distributes 130 bulls to farmers in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District through the Sire Subsidy Scheme. The handing over of pure Bonsmara, Brahman, Simmentaler, Simbra and Nguni breeds will take place at the department’s Armoedsvlakte Livestock Breeding Centre in Vryburg.
Cooperatives and individual farmers who applied for participation in this Scheme will get their subsidised bulls in accordance with their breed of choice. For farmers to qualify, a set of requirements must have been met, and they include amongst others, the ownership of a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 50 heifers, land that can be managed to contain the sires and that their animals must be certified free of noticeable diseases.
As MEC Desbo Mohono puts it, this scheme will assist farmers in ways needed to make the agricultural sector a more economical one, thus leading to a general upliftment of the farmers and the broader communities.
"Through this Scheme farmers will be able to increase their profitability since access to the competitive beef industry markets will be improved. Moreover, our farmers will confidently be involved in various breeders associations’ activities, thus gaining more knowledge and support on livestock management aspects," says MEC Mohono, who also highlighted that the department will ensure that farmers get adequate training on livestock production systems, livestock and pasture management, and animal health matters.
The launching of the Sire Subsidy Scheme was pronounced by the MEC while tabling the department’s 2013/14 Policy and Budget Vote Speech in May last year. The distribution of more bulls for farmers who applied in other districts of the province will take place in the new financial year.
Members of the media are invited to the event that will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, 6 March 2014
Time: 10h00
Venue: Armoedsvlakte Livestock Breeding Centre, Vryburg
Contact person:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Cell: 082 901 2435 or 018 389 5719
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za or mohlakoana.bonolo@gmail.com
