Church community
4 March 2009
The Elim Moravian Church mission station is running a successful dairy farm
with 112 cows over 23 hectares of irrigated pasture. An average of 2 400 litres
is produced every day and sold to one of the large national commercial dairy
producers.
On Thursday, 5 March 2009 MEC for Agriculture Cobus Dowry will lead a visit
to the Elim Dairy to honour the success of this community-driven project which
started five years ago when the Department of Agriculture (DoA) was approached
for assistance.
The dairy farm is deeply rooted in the community: the 112 milk cows are
owned by mission station residents and the pastures is communal land owned by
the Moravian Church. The dairy manager and three workers (three women) are
community members and the advisory committee includes community members
alongside independent experts. Directors on the Elim Dairy and Elim Cow
companies are split 4:3 between residents and outside partners.
Following the request for assistance five years ago, the Department of
Agriculture donated 70 cows to improve the genetic pool and also invested R3,5
million in this successful project.
The dairy farm is supported by local commercial farmers, the Milk Producers'
Association, Agri-Mega, Overberg-Agri and Parmalat.
Numerous donations have been received from friends of the dairy including
neighbouring farmers.
Plans are underway for the construction of a dam so that the hectares under
irrigation for pasture, and the number of cows, can be increased.
The long term goal is to have 420 hectares of land (120 hectares will be
irrigated) to sustain at least 360 dairy cows. This land will not be
appropriated from the resident small scale farmers but the small scale farmers
will be requested to plant forages to supply the diary's needs which will also
serve as an income generating opportunity.
A financial plan has been developed to ensure the realisation of sustainable
income generation for this community some 35 kilometres outside Bredasdorp.
Time: 13h15 to 15h30
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2009
Venue: Elim Moravian Church Mission
Directions: Take the N2 towards Caledon, turn right on the R316 and carry on
towards Napier, at the first stop, turn right and continue on the dirt road,
look out for the Elim sign and continue on the dirt road towards the town. The
Department of Agriculture signs will guide you to the venue.
For further information, please contact:
Porchia Adams
Cell: 082 441 2510
Alie van Jaarsveld
Cell: 084 604 6701
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Provincial
Government
4 March 2009
