pilot project
12 January 2007
Potchefstroom: The North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
and North West University (Mafikeng Campus), will on Friday, 19 January 2007,
implement the North West Nguni Cattle Development Project by distributing 96
cattle to four emerging farmers in the province. The distribution will be done
at a ceremonial event to be held at Potchefstroom Agricultural College.
The Nguni cattle initiative was officially launched last year in February,
with the main objective of reintroducing the Nguni breed of cattle into the
province in large numbers, focusing specifically on emerging farmers. The
project is again aimed at empowering emerging farmers with livestock farming
skills and developing their entrepreneurship abilities.
�The Nguni has been chosen as it is an indigenous breed that can survive
under many divergent management systems, while maintaining a high level of
fertility. They can also fit well into the �organic beef� position that is
currently growing,� explained MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment, Mandlenkosi Mayisela.
The project started after the IDC approached the Department and the
University, proposing an annual loan of R1 million, with which livestock should
be purchased. The loan is therefore in animals and not in money. The Department
then matched this by allocating an annual grant of R1 million in order to
increase the number of animals to be distributed to each beneficiary. The idea
behind this proposal was that emerging farmers from all over the province
should apply, and successful applicants would receive a certain number of Nguni
cattle. The criteria that were used to select successful farmers were that they
be Black, South African, have a keen interest in beef cattle farming, and most
importantly, have enough fenced grazing land to keep the livestock. The
University was brought on board to provide additional technical and scientific
expertise, as well as providing training resources in order to enable the
beneficiaries to fully utilise the cattle distributed to them.
From the funds that were committed by the Department and IDC, 150 cattle
(145 heifers and five bulls) were purchased. For this pilot round, only 96
cattle out of the available 150 will be distributed. The remaining cattle will
form part of the continued distribution exercises.
Four emerging farmers (one from each district) will on the day each receive
24 cattle (23 heifers and one bull) to the value of R274 284.00. After
receiving the cattle, farmers will sign a contract, committing to return 11
heifers and one bull to the project after five years of receiving the
livestock, and keep the remaining number and any progeny resulting from
efficient management of the herd. In addition to the cattle, farmers will
receive a livestock pack, comprising of essential beef cattle management
paraphernalia such as books and pens (for record keeping), remedies, ear tags,
syringes, and others.
The number of the cattle to be distributed per beneficiary is deemed large
enough to form a nucleus herd from which the beneficiary can expand towards
making the herd a profitable enterprise. The heifer: bull ratio (23:1) was
proved to be more effective. This number will also ensure the project�s
viability and sustainability.
MEC Mayisela says by signing this contract, farmers will be committing to
provide appropriate care for the cattle (feeds and supplements, veterinary
care, etc), keep only the Nguni breed in the land, return the prescribed number
after five years, keep the cattle pure and comply with all the other
requirements of the projects. They will be expected to attend training, make
the cattle available for inspection, report any changes in the well-being of
the cattle and many other conditions. The beneficiaries will be supported by a
project manager, and extension and veterinary personnel of the Department.
Members of the media are invited to the handing over ceremony that will be
held at Potchefstroom Agricultural Centre, on 19 January 2007, starting at
10h00.
For further information, please contact:
Lesego Mncwango
Director: Communication
Tel: (018) 387 5346 / 5459
Cell: 082 220 6367
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North
West Provincial Government
12 January 2007
